port¹ / pôrt/ • n. a town or city with a harbor where ships load or unload, esp. one where customs officers are stationed. ∎  a harbor: the port has miles of docks | [as adj.] an abundant water supply and port facilities. ∎  (also inland port) an inland town or city whose connection to the coast by a river or other body of water enables it to act as a port.PHRASES: port of entry a harbor or airport by which people and goods may enter a country.port² (also port wine) • n. a strong, sweet, typically dark red fortified wine, originally from Portugal, typically drunk as a dessert wine.port³ • n. the side of a ship or aircraft that is on the left when one is facing forward: the ferry was listing to port | [as adj.] the port side of the aircraft. The opposite of starboard.• v. [tr.] turn (a ship or its helm) to port.port⁴ • n. an aperture or opening, in particular: ∎  a socket in a computer or network into which a device can be plugged. ∎  an opening for the passage of steam, liquid, or gas: loss of fuel from the exhaust port. ∎  a porthole. ∎  an opening in the side of a ship for boarding or loading.port⁵ • v. 1. [tr.] Comput. transfer (software) from one system or machine to another: the software can be ported to an IBM RS/6000.2. [tr.] [often in imper.] Mil. carry (a rifle or other weapon) diagonally across and close to the body with the barrel or blade near the left shoulder: Detail! For inspection—port arms!• n. 1. Mil. the position required by an order to port a rifle or other weapon: Parker had his rifle at the port.2. poetic/lit. a person's carriage or bearing: she has the proud port of a princess.3. Comput. a transfer of software from one system or machine to another.PHRASES: at port arms Mil. in the position adopted when given a command to port one's weapon.

port
1. (I/O port) A connection point with associated control circuitry that allows I/O devices to be connected to the internal bus of a microprocessor. See also parallel port, serial port, communication port.

2. A point through which data can enter or leave a network, either on the network or the DTE (computer) interface.

3. To move software from one type of computer system to another, making any necessary changes en route. In a simple case little more than recompilation may be required, while in extreme cases the software might have to be entirely rewritten.

port2 the side of a ship or aircraft that is on the left when one is facing forward; the opposite of starboard. Originally it probably meant the side turned towards the port.
port out, starboard home according to folk etymology, for which there is no supporting evidence, the adjective posh was formed from the initials of these words, referring to the more comfortable accommodation, out of the heat of the sun, on ships between England and India. (In fact, it seems most likely that the origin is the earlier slang posh, denoting a dandy.)

port Fortified wines from the upper Douro valley of north‐east Portugal. Mostly aged in wood and bottled when ready for drinking; vintage port is aged in wood for 2 years, then in the bottle for at least 10; late bottled vintage is aged less than 6 years. Crusted port is blended from quality vintages bottled young, and develops a sediment (crust) in the bottle. Ruby port is young; old tawny is aged for 10 or more years; fine old tawny is a blend of young and old wines. Tawny port is aged in wood, vintage in the bottle. White port is made from white grapes; generally served chilled as an aperitif. Around 16% alcohol by volume, 12% sugars; 160 kcal (670 kJ)/100 mL.

port Fortified wine produced in the Douro Valley, n Portugal. It may be white, tawny (translucent brown) or red, and contains 17–20% alcohol. A vintage port ages in oak casks for 15 to 20 years. From the 17th to the early 20th centuries, manufacture relied on trade with Britain, using ships sailing from Oporto on the Douro estuary.