Port

Port is a term with several related meanings across different domains, including geography, nautical usage, computing, oenology, medicine, and software development.

In geography and trade, a port is a harbor facility where ships load and unload cargo and passengers. Ports connect sea and land transport, enable trade, and host related activities such as warehousing, shipping terminals, and customs. They range from large commercial hubs to fishing or passenger terminals, and are often managed by port authorities.

In nautical terms, port designates the left side of a vessel when facing forward. The opposite side is starboard. The word appears in ship navigation, signaling, and charting.

In computing and networks, a port is a communication endpoint identified by a number, used by transport protocols such as TCP and UDP. Ports allow multiple services to operate on a single device by directing data to the appropriate application. Common ports include 80 for HTTP and 443 for HTTPS, while others are assigned to specific services or applications. Firewalls and network address translation frequently regulate port access.

In oenology, port is a fortified wine produced in the Douro Valley of Portugal. It is typically sweet and high in alcohol, and aged in casks or bottles. Styles include ruby, tawny, and vintage, each with distinct aging profiles.

In medicine, a port (port-a-cath) is a subcutaneous reservoir connected to a catheter, providing long-term venous access for treatments such as chemotherapy, repeated blood sampling, or nutrition.

In software development, porting refers to adapting software to run on a different platform or architecture, often requiring code changes or new libraries.