port

port¹ (pôrt, p

rt)

1. Abbr. Pt.

a. A place on a waterway with facilities for loading and unloading ships.

b. A city or town on a waterway with such facilities.

c. The waterfront district of a city.

2. A place along a coast that gives ships and boats protection from storms and rough water; a harbor.

3. A port of entry.

[Middle English, from Old English, from Latin portus; see per-² in Indo-European roots.]

port² (pôrt, p

rt)

The left-hand side of a ship or aircraft facing forward. Also called larboard.

adj.

Of, relating to, or on the port.

tr. & intr.v. port·ed, port·ing, ports

To turn (a craft) or make a shift to the port side: port the helm; ported sharply to avoid a shoal.

[Probably from port side, from port¹.]

port³ (pôrt, p

rt)

1. Nautical

a. An opening in a ship's side providing access to the interior.

b. A porthole.

c. Archaic A cover for a porthole.

2. An opening, as in a cylinder or valve face, for the passage of steam or fluid.

3. A hole in an armored vehicle or a fortified structure for viewing or for firing weapons.

a. An entrance to or exit from a data network.

b. A connection point for a peripheral device.

5. Scots A gateway or portal, as to a town.

tr.v. port·ed, port·ing, ports

Computer Science To modify (software) for use on a different machine or platform.

[Middle English, gate, porthole, from Old French porte, gate, from Latin porta; see per-² in Indo-European roots.]

port⁴ also Port (pôrt, p

rt)

A rich sweet fortified wine.

[After Oporto.]

port ¹

Noun

a town with a harbour where ships can load and unload [Latin portus]

port ²

Noun

the left side of an aircraft or ship when facing the front of it

Verb

to turn or be turned towards the port [origin unknown]

port ³

Noun

a strong sweet fortified wine, usually dark red [after Oporto, Portugal, from where it came originally]

port ⁴

Noun

1. Naut

a. an opening with a watertight door in the side of a ship, used for loading, etc.

b. See porthole

2. Electronics a logical circuit for the input and output of data [Latin porta gate]

port ⁵

Verb

Computers to change (programs) from one system to another [probably from port⁴]

port (pôrt)

1. An opening, as in a cylinder or valve face, for the passage of steam or fluid.

2. A place where data can pass into or out of a central processing unit, computer, or peripheral. With central processing units, a port is a fixed set of connections for incoming and outgoing data or instructions. With computers and peripherals, a port is generally a socket into which a connector can be plugged.

Port a train or retinue of servants.

Examples: port of nobility, 1570; of pensioners, 1621; of stately phrases and pithy precepts, 1570; of servants.

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun	1.	port - a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country geographic point, geographical point - a point on the surface of the Earth entrepot, transshipment center - a port where merchandise can be imported and then exported without paying import duties; "Bahrain has been an entrepot of trade between Arabia and India since the second millennium BC" free port - a port open on equal terms to all commercial vessels home port - the port from which a ship originates of where it is registered outport - a subsidiary port built in deeper water than the original port (but usually farther from the center of trade) point of entry, port of entry - a port in the United States where customs officials are stationed to oversee the entry and exit of people and merchandise harbor, harbour, seaport, haven - a sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo treaty port - a port in China or Korea or Japan that once was open to foreign trade on the basis of a trading treaty
	2.	port - sweet dark-red dessert wine originally from Portugal port wine fortified wine - wine to which alcohol (usually grape brandy) has been added
	3.	port - an opening (in a wall or ship or armored vehicle) for firing through embrasure, porthole opening - a vacant or unobstructed space that is man-made; "they left a small opening for the cat at the bottom of the door" ship - a vessel that carries passengers or freight
	4.	port - the left side of a ship or aircraft to someone who is aboard and facing the bow or nose larboard side - an extended outer surface of an object; "he turned the box over to examine the bottom side"; "they painted all four sides of the house"
	5.	port - (computer science) computer circuit consisting of the hardware and associated circuitry that links one device with another (especially a computer and a hard disk drive or other peripherals) interface computer circuit - a circuit that is part of a computer parallel interface, parallel port - an interface between a computer and a printer where the computer sends multiple bits of information to the printer simultaneously serial port - an interface (commonly used for modems and mice and some printers) that transmits data a bit at a time SCSI, small computer system interface - interface consisting of a standard port between a computer and its peripherals that is used in some computers computer science, computing - the branch of engineering science that studies (with the aid of computers) computable processes and structures
Verb	1.	port - put or turn on the left side, of a ship; "port the helm" turn - cause to move around or rotate; "turn a key"; "turn your palm this way"
	2.	port - bring to port; "the captain ported the ship at night" port - land at or reach a port; "The ship finally ported"
	3.	port - land at or reach a port; "The ship finally ported" land, set down - reach or come to rest; "The bird landed on the highest branch"; "The plane landed in Istanbul" port - bring to port; "the captain ported the ship at night"
	4.	port - turn or go to the port or left side, of a ship; "The big ship was slowly porting" turn - change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense; "Turn towards me"; "The mugger turned and fled before I could see his face"; "She turned from herself and learned to listen to others' needs"
	5.	port - carry, bear, convey, or bring; "The small canoe could be ported easily" carry, transport - move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body; "You must carry your camping gear"; "carry the suitcases to the car"; "This train is carrying nuclear waste"; "These pipes carry waste water into the river"
	6.	port - carry or hold with both hands diagonally across the body, especially of weapons; "port a rifle" carry, transport - move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body; "You must carry your camping gear"; "carry the suitcases to the car"; "This train is carrying nuclear waste"; "These pipes carry waste water into the river"
	7.	port - drink port; "We were porting all in the club after dinner" booze, drink, fuddle - consume alcohol; "We were up drinking all night"
	8.	port - modify (software) for use on a different machine or platform alter, change, modify - cause to change; make different; cause a transformation; "The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city"; "The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue"
Adj.	1.	port - located on the left side of a ship or aircraft larboard left - being or located on or directed toward the side of the body to the west when facing north; "my left hand"; "left center field"; "the left bank of a river is bank on your left side when you are facing downstream"