# ports

/ˈpɔɹts/ (US) · /pˈɔːts/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ports
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. harbours for ships

noun · CEFR A2

towns or cities with a harbour where ships can stop to load or unload goods.

For teachers: Locations on a coast or shore containing one or more harbours where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo.

- The cruise ship visited several famous ports during its trip around the Mediterranean.
- The government invested heavily in upgrading the nation's deep-water ports to accommodate the new generation of massive container vessels.

### 2. computer connections

noun · CEFR B1

the holes or sockets on a computer where you plug in cables for things like a mouse or a printer.

For teachers: Physical or logical connection points through which a computer communicates with external devices or networks.

- This laptop has three USB ports for connecting your phone and other devices.
- The technician checked the server's physical ports to ensure the network cables were securely seated and transmitting data correctly.

### 3. types of wine

noun · CEFR B2

different varieties of a strong, sweet wine that originally comes from Portugal.

For teachers: Varieties of a fortified wine produced in the Douro Valley of northern Portugal.

- The restaurant offers a selection of fine ports to enjoy with dessert.
- The sommelier explained the differences between tawny and ruby ports, noting how the aging process affects their final flavour profiles.

## Examples

- The ship visits several busy ports during its journey.
- The city grew rapidly because its deep-water ports allowed large international cargo ships to dock safely.
- Modern laptops have fewer physical ports than older models, often requiring users to purchase external adapters to connect multiple peripheral devices simultaneously.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.