as in anchorages
a part of a body of water protected and deep enough to be a place of safety for ships
the cruise ship stops at each port for one night only
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Recent Examples of ports
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd were among those that suspended shipping through the chokepoint, which is known for being a major trade artery for oil and natural gas, likely causing delays for services calling ports in the Persian Gulf.
—
Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 2 Mar. 2026
Those include the East-West Pipeline, also known as Petroline, a nearly 750-mile-long pipeline in Saudi Arabia that delivers oil to ports on the Red Sea.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
The ships must maneuver through crowded ports and busy waterways.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Mar. 2026
Florida is home to three of the busiest ports in the world, offering myriad options for ships and itineraries, including sailings from the largest cruise terminal at PortMiami.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026
The ports continue operating while the legal drama builds.
—Alma Solís, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
Somalia offered to renew a deal granting the US access to its ports and airports, days after the breakaway region of Somaliland reiterated a similar proposal.
—Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 23 Feb. 2026
As roads were blockaded with burning vehicles, airlines canceled flights and cruise lines rerouted ships to avoid ports with potential problems.
—Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026
The Air still takes a minimalist approach to ports, with a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports (both on the left side) and a headphone jack (on the right).
—Ars Technica, 11 Mar. 2025
Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 2 Mar. 2026
Those include the East-West Pipeline, also known as Petroline, a nearly 750-mile-long pipeline in Saudi Arabia that delivers oil to ports on the Red Sea.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
The ships must maneuver through crowded ports and busy waterways.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Mar. 2026
Florida is home to three of the busiest ports in the world, offering myriad options for ships and itineraries, including sailings from the largest cruise terminal at PortMiami.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026
The ports continue operating while the legal drama builds.
—Alma Solís, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
Somalia offered to renew a deal granting the US access to its ports and airports, days after the breakaway region of Somaliland reiterated a similar proposal.
—Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 23 Feb. 2026
As roads were blockaded with burning vehicles, airlines canceled flights and cruise lines rerouted ships to avoid ports with potential problems.
—Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026
The Air still takes a minimalist approach to ports, with a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports (both on the left side) and a headphone jack (on the right).
—Ars Technica, 11 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ports
Noun
-
Brilliant blue waves meet a sensational crescent of white sand at Salt Whistle Bay, one of the most stunning anchorages in the southeastern Caribbean.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Sailing aboard a small ship with just 36 passengers, the voyage moves between islands and along remote coastlines, accessing sea caves, marine sanctuaries, and quiet anchorages that large cruise ships simply cannot reach.—
Paris Wilson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Today, the towns of Vis and Komiza house harbors, stone houses, narrow streets, and a coastal lifestyle known locally as pomalo.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Yet, hidden between luxe private island resorts and harbors for mega-yachts, the tiny island of Mayreau (pronounced my-row) is a blissful exception, having escaped almost any development.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Their four properties have 450 boat slips combined with four gas docks, washrooms and showers, plus picnic spots for vacation getaways or weekend fun.—
Karie Angell Luc,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Its docks and alleys, its free Black communities and slave markets, its churches and street corners — this was the laboratory of his conscience.—
Jack Hill,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ports.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ports. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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