Portsmouth

American  

[pawrts-muhth, pohrts-] / ˈpɔrts məθ, ˈpoʊrts- /

noun

1. a seaport in S Hampshire, in S England, on the English Channel: chief British naval station.

2. a seaport in SE Virginia: navy yard.

3. a seaport in SE New Hampshire: naval base; Russian-Japanese peace treaty 1905.

4. a city in S Ohio, on the Ohio River.

5. a town in SE Rhode Island.

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Portsmouth British  

/ ˈpɔːtsməθ /

noun

1. Informal name: Pompey.  a port in S England, in Portsmouth unitary authority, Hampshire, on the English Channel: Britain's chief naval base; university (1992). Pop: 187 056 (2001)

2. a unitary authority in S England, in Hampshire. Pop: 188 700 (2003 est). Area: 37 sq km (14 sq miles)

3. a port in SE Virginia, on the Elizabeth River: naval base; shipyards. Pop: 99 617 (2003 est)

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Example Sentences

The Liberal Democrats picked up seats in Portsmouth, Stockport and Sutton, but lost control of Hull council.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

Take Bradley Coombes, from Portsmouth, who was just 23 when he died from bowel cancer.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Defeat by relegation rivals Portsmouth on Saturday has the Foxes eight points adrift of safety with just nine points left to play for.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

An international team of scientists led by the University of Portsmouth has completed a large global study of these so-called surging glaciers.

From Science Daily • Apr. 17, 2026

“I have been informed by Wemmick,” pursued Mr. Jaggers, still looking hard at me, “that he has received a letter, under date Portsmouth, from a colonist of the name of Purvis, or—”

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens