port

noun \ ˈpȯrt \

Definition of port

1 : a place where ships may ride secure from storms : haven

2 a : a harbor town or city where ships may take on or discharge cargo

b : airport

3 : port of entry

Origin and Etymology of port

Middle English, from Old English & Anglo-French, from Latin portus — more at ford

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Nautical Terms

avast, aweigh, flotsam, jib, keel, lee, port, starboard, stay

port

noun

Definition of port

1 chiefly Scotland : gate

2 a : an opening (as in a valve seat or valve face) for intake or exhaust of a fluid

b : the area of opening in a cylinder face of a passageway for the working fluid in an engine; also : such a passageway

c : a small opening in a container or vessel especially for viewing or for the controlled passage of material

access port

3 a : an opening in a vessel's side (as for admitting light or loading cargo)

b archaic : the cover for a porthole

4 : a hole in an armored vehicle or fortification through which guns may be fired

5 : a hardware interface by which a computer is connected to another device (such as a printer, a mouse, or another computer); broadly : jack 4

Origin and Etymology of port

Middle English porte, from Anglo-French, gate, door, from Latin porta passage, gate; akin to Latin portus port

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Nautical Terms

avast, aweigh, flotsam, jib, keel, lee, port, starboard, stay

port

noun

Definition of port

1 : the manner of bearing oneself

2 archaic : state 3

3 : the position in which a military weapon is carried at the command port arms

Origin and Etymology of port

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from porter to carry, from Latin portare

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

port

verb

Definition of port

ported; porting; ports

transitive verb

: to turn or put (a helm) to the left —used chiefly as a command

Origin and Etymology of port

⁵port

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1580

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Nautical Terms

avast, aweigh, flotsam, jib, keel, lee, port, starboard, stay

port

noun

Definition of port

: the left side of a ship or aircraft looking forward — called also larboard; compare starboard

Origin and Etymology of port

probably from ¹port or ²port

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1544

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Nautical Terms

avast, aweigh, flotsam, jib, keel, lee, starboard, stay

port

adjective

Definition of port

: located on the left side of a ship or airplane looking forward : of, relating to, or situated to port

The forward and port staterooms share a head and both feature upper/lower bunks.
—Dex Hart

First Known Use of port

1842

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Alcoholic Beverage Terms

finish, gimlet, mull, sake, setup, sommelier, syllabub, vintner, wassail

port

noun

Definition of port

: a sweet fortified wine of rich taste and aroma made in Portugal; also : a similar wine made elsewhere

Origin and Etymology of port

Oporto, Portugal

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1626

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

port

verb

Definition of port

ported; porting; ports

transitive verb

: to translate (software) into a version for another computer or operating system

Origin and Etymology of port

perhaps from ²port (hardware interface)

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1984

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

port

abbreviation

Definition of port

1 portable

2 portrait

Port

abbreviation

Definition of Port

Portugal

PORT Defined for Kids

port

noun \ ˈpȯrt \

Definition of port for Students

1 : a town or city with a harbor where ships load or unload cargo

Miami is a major United States port.

2 : a place (as a harbor) where ships can find shelter from a storm

port

noun

Definition of port for Students

1 : an opening (as in machinery) for gas, steam, or water to go in or out

2 : porthole

port

noun

Definition of port for Students

: the left side of a ship or airplane looking forward

Medical Dictionary

port

noun \ ˈpȯrt \

medical Definition of port

: an opening, passage, or channel through which something can be introduced into the body: as

a : a small medical device (as of plastic or titanium) that is implanted below the skin, is attached to a catheter typically inserted into a blood vessel, and has a small opening through which a needle can be inserted to administer fluids or drugs or withdraw blood

b : an incision (as one made between intercostal spaces) for passing a medical instrument (as an endoscope) into the body