port

¹

[pawrt, pohrt]

noun

1. any of a class of very sweet wines, mostly dark-red, originally from Portugal.

port

²

[pawrt]

verb (used with object)

1. Military.,  to carry (a rifle or other weapon) with both hands, in a slanting direction across the front of the body, with the barrel or like part near the left shoulder.

2. Computers.,  to rewrite the source code of (a program) in a different programming language, or modify it to run on a different hardware platform or operating system (sometimes followed byover ).

   The publisher is porting several classic games to next-generation consoles.

   Our test suite may be useful if you are modifying the compiler, or porting it to a new system.

noun

1. Military.,  the position of a rifle or other weapon when ported.

2. Digital Technology, Computers.,  a version of an existing program, such as a video game, written to run on a different platform or operating system.

3. Archaic.,  manner of bearing oneself; carriage or deportment.

port

³

[pawrt, pohrt]

noun

1. a city, town, or other place where ships load or unload.

2. a place along a coast in which ships may take refuge from storms; harbor.

   Synonyms: anchorage

3. Also called port of entry. Law.,  any place where persons and merchandise are allowed to pass, by water or land, into and out of a country and where customs officers are stationed to inspect or appraise imported goods.

4. a geographical area that forms a harbor.

   the largest port on the eastern seaboard.

5. Informal.,  an airport.

Port.

⁴

abbreviation

1. Portugal.

2. Portuguese.

port

⁵

[pawrt, pohrt]

noun

1. the left-hand side of a vessel or aircraft, facing forward.

adjective

1. pertaining to or designating port.

2. located on the left side of a vessel or aircraft.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to turn or shift to the port, or left, side.

port

⁶

[pawrt, pohrt]

noun

1. an opening in the side or other exterior part of a ship for admitting air and light or for taking on cargo.

2. Machinery.,  an aperture in the surface of a cylinder, for the passage of steam, air, water, etc.

3. a small aperture in an armored vehicle, aircraft, or fortification through which a gun can be fired or a camera directed.

4. Computers.

   1. a physical connection in a computer to which a peripheral device or a transmission line from a remote terminal can be attached.

   2. Also called port number. a numerical code that identifies an origin or destination within an IP address.

      Routers can be configured to change ports within the local network.

5. the raised center portion on a bit for horses.

6. Chiefly Scot.,  a gate or portal, as to a town or fortress.

port

¹

/ pɔːt /

noun

1. nautical

   1. an opening in the side of a ship, fitted with a watertight door, for access to the holds

   2. See porthole

2. a small opening in a wall, armoured vehicle, etc, for firing through

3. an aperture, esp one controlled by a valve, by which fluid enters or leaves the cylinder head of an engine, compressor, etc

4. electronics a logic circuit for the input and ouput of data

5. a gate or portal in a town or fortress

port

²

/ pɔːt /

noun

1. Also called (formerly): larboard. 

   1. the left side of an aircraft or vessel when facing the nose or bow

   2. ( as modifier ) Compare starboard

      the port bow

verb

1. to turn or be turned towards the port

Port.

³

abbreviation

1. Portugal

2. Portuguese

port

⁴

/ pɔːt /

noun

1. a sweet fortified dessert wine

port

⁵

/ pɔːt /

verb

1. (tr) to carry (a rifle, etc) in a position diagonally across the body with the muzzle near the left shoulder

noun

1. this position

port

⁶

/ pɔːt /

noun

1. (esp in Queensland) a suitcase or school case

port

⁷

/ pɔːt /

noun

1. a town or place alongside navigable water with facilities for the loading and unloading of ships

2. See port of entry

port

⁸

/ pɔːt /

verb

1. (tr) computing to change (programs) from one system to another

port

1. An opening, as in a cylinder or valve face, for the passage of steam or fluid.

2. A place where data can pass into or out of a central processing unit, computer, or peripheral. With central processing units, a port is a fixed set of connections for incoming and outgoing data or instructions. With computers and peripherals, a port is generally a socket into which a connector can be plugged.

Other Word Forms

• portless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of port¹

First recorded in 1695–95; earlier Oporto, from Portuguese O Porto, Oporto “the port” (that is, the main port of shipment for the wines of Portugal); Oporto l

Origin of port²

First recorded in 1560–70; from French porter, from Latin portāre “to carry”; fare

Origin of port³

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English, from Latin portus “harbor, haven”; akin to ford

Origin of port⁴

First recorded in 1570–80; special use of port ⁴

Origin of port⁵

First recorded before 950; Middle English, Old English, from Latin porta “gate”; akin to portus “harbor”; port ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of port¹

Old English, from Latin porta gate

Origin of port²

C17: origin uncertain

Origin of port³

C17: after Oporto, Portugal, from where it came originally

Origin of port⁴

C14: from Old French, from porter to carry, from Latin portāre

Origin of port⁵

C20: shortened from _portmanteau

Origin of port⁶

Old English, from Latin portus harbour, port

Origin of port⁷

C20: probably from _port ⁴

Idioms and Phrases

see any port in a storm.

Synonym Study

See harbor.

Example Sentences

Since 2019, Lebanon has been ravaged by crises, including an economic collapse, a devastating port blast in Beirut in 2020 and the recent war with Israel.

Read more on Barron's

For two weeks since we had left port near Montreal, we hadn’t seen another ship.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

China’s factories and ports are learning to make and export more goods faster, cheaper and with fewer workers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The state in September surpassed 200,000 fully public and shared EV charging ports — an increase of about 20,000 since March, according to the California Energy Commission.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Separately, a major consortium transporting oil from the Caspian region said it had suspended loading in the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, after an attack by unmanned boats overnight.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• harbor 
• seaport 
• wharf