Port n.
1. A passageway; an opening or entrance to an inclosed place; a gate; a door; a portal. [Archaic]
Him I accuse
The city ports by this hath entered. --Shak.
Form their ivory port the cherubim
Forth issuing. --Milton.
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.
Her ports being within sixteen inches of the water. --Sir W. Raleigh.
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.
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.