First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1port
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
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of PORT
Middle English, from Old English & Anglo-French, from Latin portus — more at ford
2port
noun
Definition of PORT
1
chiefly Scottish : 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 (as a printer, a mouse, or another computer); broadly : jack 8
Origin of PORT
Middle English porte, from Anglo-French, gate, door, from Latin porta passage, gate; akin to Latin portus port
First Known Use: before 12th century
3port
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 of PORT
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from porter to carry, from Latin portare
First Known Use: 14th century
4port
verb
Definition of PORT
transitive verb
: to turn or put (a helm) to the left —used chiefly as a command
Origin of PORT
5port
First Known Use: 1580
5port
noun
Definition of PORT
: the left side of a ship or aircraft looking forward —called also larboard — compare starboard
— port adjective
Origin of PORT
probably from 1port or 2port
First Known Use: circa 1644
6port
noun
Definition of PORT
: a sweet fortified wine of rich taste and aroma made in Portugal; also : a similar wine made elsewhere
Origin of PORT
Oporto, Portugal
First Known Use: 1691
7port
verb
Definition of PORT
transitive verb
: to translate (software) into a version for another computer or operating system
Origin of PORT
perhaps from 2port (hardware interface)
First Known Use: 1984
8port
abbreviation
Port
abbreviation
Definition of PORT
PORT Defined for Kids
1port
noun \ˈpȯrt\
Definition of PORT for Kids
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
2port
noun
Definition of PORT for Kids
1
: an opening (as in machinery) for gas, steam, or water to go in or out
2
: porthole
3port
noun
Definition of PORT for Kids
: 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
Learn More About PORT
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: portabellaPrevious Word in the Dictionary: Porro prismAll Words Near: port
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up port? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).