ports

noun

plural of port
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ports Its combat efforts have prevented it from making stops at friendly ports, where deployed vessels can typically renew supplies and sailors can rest. — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026 Authorities have reported finding drone fragments on Romanian soil several times since 2023 following Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports along the Danube River, which lie just across the border. — CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026 In addition to the waste chute, the left and right sides have ports providing access to the belt-tension assembly. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026 Shadow Fleet While a US naval blockade has reduced traffic to Iran’s ports, the US may consider a more comprehensive effort. — Magdalena Del Valle, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026 What Makes the Balcony Cabin Special For me, the cruise itself can be part of the destination—not merely transportation between ports. — Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026 It could be used to monitor ports, guard important infrastructure, and watch over key waterways. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026 Both recalled products contain an internal power supply and two power input ports (AC and DC) on the back of the minifridge, instead of a single DC port. — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2026 The Coaster 407 even features traction control (TCS), a digital display with connectivity, a keyless entry system, and two USB ports (Type-A and -C), as some standard features. — New Atlas, 9 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ports
  1. anchorages
  2. harbors
  3. docks
Noun
  • Navily gives us reviews of anchorages and where to clear customs.
    — David Pierce, The Verge, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Beautiful anchorages aside, her sundeck is the place to be for the solar eclipse, with generous sun pads, a sheltered Jacuzzi and glass windbreak creating uninterrupted sightlines.
    — Dea Jusufi, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of anchorages
Noun
  • Jetties are long barriers often constructed of boulders or concrete at inlets or harbors to keep navigation channels open, while groins are shorter and often are built on open beaches to stop erosion and widen the sand area.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Yet despite sitting on one of the world’s largest natural harbors, Falmouth remains a relatively small player in the British cruise industry.
    — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of harbors
Noun
  • Areas of discussion include plans for improved parking; a review of community needs, public spaces, and recreation opportunities; the restoration of the facility’s docks; and the future of the nearby basin, channel, and Baby Beach.
    — Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Further afield lie a helipad and two private docks to facilitate comings and goings.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of docks

Browse Nearby Words

portrays
ports
pose
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ports.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ports. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on ports

Nglish: Translation of ports for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of expeditious

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All