port

noun (1)

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\ ˈpȯrt

Definition of port

(Entry 1 of 10)

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

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

b : airport

3 : port of entry

port

noun (2)

Definition of port (Entry 2 of 10)

1 chiefly Scotland : gate

2a : 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

3a : 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 sense 4

port

noun (3)

Definition of port (Entry 3 of 10)

1 : the manner of bearing oneself

2 archaic : state sense 3

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

port

verb (1)

ported; porting; ports

Definition of port (Entry 4 of 10)

transitive verb

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

port

noun (4)

Definition of port (Entry 5 of 10)

: the left side of a ship or aircraft looking forward

— called also larboard

— compare starboard

port

adjective

Definition of port (Entry 6 of 10)

: 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

port

noun (5)

Definition of port (Entry 7 of 10)

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

port

verb (2)

ported; porting; ports

Definition of port (Entry 8 of 10)

transitive verb

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

port

abbreviation (1)

Definition of port (Entry 9 of 10)

1 portable

2 portrait

Port

abbreviation (2)

Definition of Port (Entry 10 of 10)

Portugal

First Known Use of port

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1580, in the meaning defined above

Noun (4)

circa 1544, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1842, in the meaning defined above

Noun (5)

circa 1626, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1984, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for port

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

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

Noun (3)

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

Noun (4) and Verb (1)

probably from port entry 1 or port entry 2

Noun (5)

Oporto, Portugal

Verb (2)

perhaps from port entry 2 (hardware interface)

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Cite this Entry

“Port.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/port. Accessed 3 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for port

port

noun

\ ˈpȯrt

Kids Definition of port

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

Kids Definition of port (Entry 2 of 3)

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

2 : porthole

port

noun

Kids Definition of port (Entry 3 of 3)

: the left side of a ship or airplane looking forward

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

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