air port

See also: airport, and air-port

English

Alternative forms

• air-port

Etymology

Compound of air +‎ port (“porthole”).

Noun

air port (plural air ports)

1. (nautical) An opening in the side of a ship to let in air and light.

   Coordinate term: gun port

   • 1898, Annual Reports of the Navy Department for the Fiscal Year, page 590:

     About 12 feet from the stern, and 4 feet above the water line, one 5-inch or 6-inch projectile pierced the plating at an angle of about 45° from the stern. This projectile came out through an air port on the starboard side, as observed before the vessel sank.

   • 1950, “Hull Fittings” (chapter 12), in Bureau of Ships Manual:

     As a result of experience in World War II, indicating that air ports and their covers are likely to be badly damaged by explosions of projectiles and bombs, many air ports have been removed from ships in commission and omitted from ships under construction.

Usage notes

• Not to be confused with airport (aviation).