port
1[ pawrt, pohrt ]
/ pɔrt, poʊrt /
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noun
a city, town, or other place where ships load or unload.
a place along a coast in which ships may take refuge from storms; harbor.
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.
a geographical area that forms a harbor: the largest port on the eastern seaboard.
Informal. an airport.
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Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
Origin of port
1First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English, from Latin portus “harbor, haven”; akin to ford
synonym study for port
2. See harbor.
OTHER WORDS FROM port
portless, adjectiveOther definitions for port (2 of 6)
port2
[ pawrt, pohrt ]
/ pɔrt, poʊrt /
noun
the left-hand side of a vessel or aircraft, facing forward.
adjective
pertaining to or designating port.
located on the left side of a vessel or aircraft.
verb (used with or without object)
to turn or shift to the port, or left, side.
Origin of port
2First recorded in 1570–80; special use of port4
Other definitions for port (3 of 6)
port3
[ pawrt, pohrt ]
/ pɔrt, poʊrt /
noun
any of a class of very sweet wines, mostly dark-red, originally from Portugal.
Origin of port
3First 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); see also Oporto l
Other definitions for port (4 of 6)
port4
[ pawrt, pohrt ]
/ pɔrt, poʊrt /
noun
an opening in the side or other exterior part of a ship for admitting air and light or for taking on cargo.Compare porthole (def. 1).
Machinery. an aperture in the surface of a cylinder, for the passage of steam, air, water, etc.
a small aperture in an armored vehicle, aircraft, or fortification through which a gun can be fired or a camera directed.
Computers.
- a physical connection in a computer to which a peripheral device or a transmission line from a remote terminal can be attached.
- 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.
the raised center portion on a bit for horses.
Chiefly Scot. a gate or portal, as to a town or fortress.
Origin of port
4First recorded before 950; Middle English, Old English, from Latin porta “gate”; akin to portus “harbor”; see port1
Other definitions for port (5 of 6)
port5
[ pawrt ]
/ pɔrt /
verb (used with object)
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.
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 by over): 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
Military. the position of a rifle or other weapon when ported.
Digital Technology, Computers. a version of an existing program, such as a video game, written to run on a different platform or operating system.
Archaic. manner of bearing oneself; carriage or deportment.
Origin of port
5Other definitions for port (6 of 6)
Port.
abbreviation
Portugal.
Portuguese.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use port in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for port (1 of 8)
port1
/ (pɔːt) /
noun
a town or place alongside navigable water with facilities for the loading and unloading of ships
See port of entry
Word Origin for port
Old English, from Latin portus harbour, port
British Dictionary definitions for port (2 of 8)
port2
/ (pɔːt) /
noun
Also called (formerly): larboard
- the left side of an aircraft or vessel when facing the nose or bow
- (as modifier)the port bow Compare starboard (def. 1)
verb
to turn or be turned towards the port
Word Origin for port
C17: origin uncertain
British Dictionary definitions for port (3 of 8)
port3
/ (pɔːt) /
noun
a sweet fortified dessert wine
Word Origin for port
C17: after Oporto, Portugal, from where it came originally
British Dictionary definitions for port (4 of 8)
port4
/ (pɔːt) /
noun
nautical
- an opening in the side of a ship, fitted with a watertight door, for access to the holds
- See porthole (def. 1)
a small opening in a wall, armoured vehicle, etc, for firing through
an aperture, esp one controlled by a valve, by which fluid enters or leaves the cylinder head of an engine, compressor, etc
electronics a logic circuit for the input and ouput of data
mainly Scot a gate or portal in a town or fortress
Word Origin for port
Old English, from Latin porta gate
British Dictionary definitions for port (5 of 8)
port5
/ (pɔːt) military /
verb
(tr) to carry (a rifle, etc) in a position diagonally across the body with the muzzle near the left shoulder
noun
this position
Word Origin for port
C14: from Old French, from porter to carry, from Latin portāre
British Dictionary definitions for port (6 of 8)
port6
/ (pɔːt) /
verb
(tr) computing to change (programs) from one system to another
Word Origin for port
C20: probably from port 4
British Dictionary definitions for port (7 of 8)
port7
/ (pɔːt) /
noun
Australian (esp in Queensland) a suitcase or school case
Word Origin for port
C20: shortened from portmanteau
British Dictionary definitions for port (8 of 8)
Port.
abbreviation for
Portugal
Portuguese
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for port
port
[ pôrt ]
An opening, as in a cylinder or valve face, for the passage of steam or fluid.
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with port
port
see any port in a storm.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.