port
1
[ pawrt, pohrt ]
/ pɔrt, poʊrt /
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.
Origin of port
1
before 900; Middle English, Old English < Latin
portus harbor, haven; akin to
ford
OTHER WORDS FROM port
port·less, adjectiveWords nearby port
Definition for port (2 of 6)
port
2
[ 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
2
First recorded in 1570–80; special use of
port4
Definition for port (3 of 6)
port
3
[ pawrt, pohrt ]
/ pɔrt, poʊrt /
noun
any of a class of very sweet wines, mostly dark-red, originally from Portugal.
Origin of port
3
1695–95; earlier
Oporto, (
Port)
O Port < Portuguese
Oporto
Oporto, the main port of shipment for the wines of Portugal
Definition for port (4 of 6)
port
4
[ 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
4Definition for port (5 of 6)
port
5
[ pawrt, pohrt ]
/ pɔrt, poʊrt /
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.
Digital Technology.
to create a new version of (an application program) to run on a different hardware platform (sometimes followed by over): The publisher is porting several classic games to next-generation consoles.
noun
Military.
the position of a rifle or other weapon when ported.
Digital Technology.
a version of an existing video game published for a different console or device.
Archaic.
manner of bearing oneself; carriage or deportment.
Origin of port
5Definition for port (6 of 6)
Example sentences from the Web for port
British Dictionary definitions for port (1 of 8)
port
1
/ (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)
port
2
/ (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)
port
3
/ (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)
port
4
/ (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)
port
5
/ (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)
port
6
/ (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)
port
7
/ (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
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.
Idioms and Phrases with port
port
see any port in a storm.