port Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
  2. noun sweet dark-red dessert wine originally from Portugal
    port wine.
  3. noun an opening (in a wall or ship or armored vehicle) for firing through
    porthole; embrasure.
  4. noun the left side of a ship or aircraft to someone who is aboard and facing the bow or nose
    larboard.
  5. noun (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.
  6. verb put or turn on the left side, of a ship
    • port the helm
  7. verb bring to port
    • the captain ported the ship at night
  8. verb land at or reach a port
    • The ship finally ported
  9. verb turn or go to the port or left side, of a ship
    • The big ship was slowly porting
  10. verb carry, bear, convey, or bring
    • The small canoe could be ported easily
  11. verb carry or hold with both hands diagonally across the body, especially of weapons
    • port a rifle
  12. verb drink port
    • We were porting all in the club after dinner
  13. verb modify (software) for use on a different machine or platform
  14. adjective satellite located on the left side of a ship or aircraft
    larboard.

WordNet

Port noun
Etymology
From Oporto, in Portugal, i. e., porto the port, L. portus. See Port harbor.
Definitions
  1. A dark red or purple astringent wine made in Portugal. It contains a large percentage of alcohol.
Port noun
Etymology
AS. port, L. portus: cf. F. port. See Farm, v., Ford, and 1st, 3d, & 4h Port.
Definitions
  1. A place where ships may ride secure from storms; a sheltered inlet, bay, or cove; a harbor; a haven. Used also figuratively.
    Peering in maps for ports and piers and roads. Shak.
    We are in port if we have Thee. Keble.
  2. In law and commercial usage, a harbor where vessels are admitted to discharge and receive cargoes, from whence they depart and where they finish their voyages.
Port noun
Etymology
F. porte, L. porta, akin to portus; cf. AS. porte, fr. L. porta. See Port a harbor, and cf. Porte.
Definitions
  1. A passageway; an opening or entrance to an inclosed place; a gate; a door; a portal. Archaic
    Him I accuse The city ports by this hath entered. Shak.
    Form their ivory port the cherubim Forth issuing. Milton.
  2. (Naut.) An opening in the side of a vessel; an embrasure through which cannon may be discharged; a porthole; also, the shutters which close such an opening.
    Her ports being within sixteen inches of the water. Sir W. Raleigh.
  3. (Mach.) A passageway in a machine, through which a fluid, as steam, water, etc., may pass, as from a valve to the interior of the cylinder of a steam engine; an opening in a valve seat, or valve face.
Port transitive verb
Etymology
F. porter, L. portare to carry. See Port demeanor.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Ported; present participle & verbal noun Porting
Definitions
  1. To carry; to bear; to transport. Obs.
    They are easily ported by boat into other shires. Fuller.
  2. (Mil.) To throw, as a musket, diagonally across the body, with the lock in front, the right hand grasping the small of the stock, and the barrel sloping upward and crossing the point of the left shoulder; as, to port arms.
    Began to hem him round with ported spears. Milton.
Port noun
Etymology
F. port, fr. porter to carry, L. portare, prob. akin to E. fare, v. See Port harbor, and cf. Comport, Export, Sport.
Definitions
  1. The manner in which a person bears himself; deportment; carriage; bearing; demeanor; hence, manner or style of living; as, a proud port. Spenser.
    And of his port as meek as is a maid. Chaucer.
    The necessities of pomp, grandeur, and a suitable port in the world. South.
Port noun
Etymology
Etymology uncertain.
Definitions
  1. (Naut.) The larboard or left side of a ship (looking from the stern toward the bow); as, a vessel heels to port. See Note under Larboard. Also used adjectively.
Port transitive verb
Definitions
  1. (Naut.) To turn or put to the left or larboard side of a ship; -- said of the helm, and used chiefly in the imperative, as a command; as, port your helm.

Webster 1913