Port: meaning, definitions and examples

This term generally refers to a large area on the coast where ships can dock and transfer goods or passengers. It's often used for commercial shipping and travel.

• The ship is arriving at the port tomorrow.
• They are expanding the port to handle more cargo.

A harbor is a sheltered area on the coast where ships can anchor safely, often protected from the weather by natural or artificial barriers. It can refer to both commercial and recreational docking.

• The boats sought refuge in the harbor during the storm.
• The city’s harbor is filled with yachts and fishing boats.

This usually refers to the specific area where ships are tied up to load and unload goods or embark and disembark passengers. It can also be used as a verb.

• The ship is now in the dock.
• We will dock at noon.

This term refers to a specific platform built on the shore or projecting into the sea, where ships can load and unload cargo or passengers. It's often used in a commercial context.

• Containers are being loaded onto the ship at the wharf.
• He works down at the wharf unloading fish.

Used in both hardware and software contexts to describe a place where connections can be made, such as USB ports on a computer or network ports for Internet connections.

• 1
• Plug the USB cable into the port on the side of the laptop
• 2
• The server listens for incoming requests on port 8080

Typically used to describe a boundary across which two separate systems communicate, often found in hardware and software design.

• 1
• The user interface of the application needs to be easy to navigate
• 2
• The interface between the two components allows them to work together seamlessly

Often used in networking to refer to nodes or hubs where multiple devices can connect to each other.

• 1
• The router serves as the main connection point for all devices in the network
• 2
• The switch acts as a connection point in the office's LAN

Used primarily in networking to describe an endpoint for sending and receiving data between devices over a network. Also refers to physical sockets for connecting electric plugs.

• 1
• The client establishes a connection with the server using a socket
• 2
• Plug the lamp into the wall socket

Typically used in technology and software development when moving software from one system or platform to another.

• The development team needs to port the application to the new operating system
• The game was originally made for PC but has now been ported to consoles

Used in general contexts when something is being changed to suit new conditions or requirements.

• She had to adapt her teaching methods to include more online resources
• The book was adapted into a movie

Commonly used in IT for moving data, applications, or systems from one place to another. Also used in general language to describe moving from one location to another.

• The company decided to migrate their data to a cloud-based system
• Birds migrate south for the winter

Used when moving something from one place, person, or thing to another, often implying a more general or physical sense.

• Please transfer the files to my external hard drive
• He transferred to a new university to continue his studies