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.