port \port\, n. f. porte, l. porta, akin to portus; cf. as.
   porte, fr. l. porta. see port a harbor, and cf. porte.
   1. a passageway; an opening or entrance to an inclosed place;
      a gate; a door; a portal. archaic
      1913 webster

            him i accuse
            the city ports by this hath entered.  --shak.
      1913 webster

            form their ivory port the cherubim
            forth issuing.                        --milton.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

            her ports being within sixteen inches of the water.
                                                  --sir w.
                                                  raleigh.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

   air port, bridle port, etc. see under air, bridle,
      etc.

   port bar naut., a bar to secure the ports of a ship in a
      gale.

   port lid naut., a lid or hanging for closing the
      portholes of a vessel.

   steam port,  exhaust port steam engine, the ports of
      the cylinder communicating with the valve or valves, for
      the entrance or exit of the steam, respectively.
      1913 webster
see also:
port porte air port bridle port air bridle 
port bar port lid steam port exhaust port