Port vs. Starboard — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 16, 2023
Port refers to the left side of a vessel facing forward, while Starboard denotes the right side. Both terms help in navigation and communication at sea.
Difference Between Port and Starboard
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Key Differences
In maritime language, Port and Starboard are essential terms that provide clear orientation. Port specifically refers to the left-hand side of a ship when one is facing forward. In contrast, Starboard relates to the right-hand side.
The origins of these terms are deep-rooted in naval history. Port was coined as ships would dock on their left side at ports. Conversely, Starboard originated from the old term "steorbord," meaning the side on which the ship was steered.
Using Port and Starboard instead of 'left' and 'right' eliminates confusion, as the ship's directions remain constant regardless of the viewer's orientation. Thus, Port will always be the left, and Starboard will consistently be the right when looking forward.
Port and Starboard also possess distinctive lighting systems on ships to aid in nighttime navigation. A Port side light is red, while the Starboard side light is green, helping vessels determine the direction of other ships during the dark.
In summary, Port and Starboard are indispensable terms in the maritime world, ensuring clear communication and safety. These terms, representing the left and right of the ship, have been consistently used to avert confusion and mishaps at sea.
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Comparison Chart
Direction (facing forward)
Left
Right
Origin
Ships would dock on this side
From "steorbord", the side the ship was steered
Use
Clear orientation at sea
Clear orientation at sea
Light Color
Red
Green
Associated Color (often used)
Red (port wine)
Green
Compare with Definitions
Port
The left-hand side of a ship when facing forward.
The captain told me to look off the Port side to spot the dolphin.
Starboard
The right-hand side of a ship when facing forward.
The fishing nets were deployed off the Starboard side.
Port
A type of sweet wine originating from Portugal.
He poured a glass of vintage Port after dinner.
Starboard
Identified by the color green in maritime lights.
The green light on the Starboard side helps with night navigation.
Port
A city or town possessing a harbor.
San Francisco is a major Port on the West Coast.
Starboard
Always opposite the Port side of a vessel.
When I faced the bow, the island was to Starboard.
Port
A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as Hamburg, Manchester and Duluth; these access the sea via rivers or canals.
Starboard
The side of a ship or aircraft that is on the right when one is facing forward
The starboard wing
I made a steep turn to starboard
Port
A town or city with a harbour or access to navigable water where ships load or unload
The French port of Toulon
Port Elizabeth
Starboard
Turn (a ship or its helm) to starboard
A red light is always a signal not to starboard the helm
Port
A strong, sweet dark red (occasionally brown or white) fortified wine, originally from Portugal, typically drunk as a dessert wine
Tawny ports do not need decanting
They settled down to a final glass of port
Starboard
The right-hand side of a ship or aircraft as one faces forward.
Port
The side of a ship or aircraft that is on the left when one is facing forward
The ferry was listing to port
The port side of the aircraft
Starboard
On the right-hand side as one faces forward.
Port
An opening in the side of a ship for boarding or loading.
Starboard
To or toward the right-hand side as one faces forward.
Port
A socket in a computer network into which a device can be plugged
A communications port for optional cellular and other wireless modules
Starboard
The righthand side of a ship, boat or aircraft when facing the front, or fore or bow. Used to unambiguously refer to directions according to the sides of the vessel, rather than those of a crew member or object.
I see another vessel off the starboard side.
We're on starboard tack, so the other boat has to give way.
Port
A gate or gateway, especially into a walled city.
Starboard
(nautical) One of the two traditional watches aboard a ship standing a watch in two.
Port
The position required by an order to port a weapon
Parker had his rifle at the port
Starboard
To put to the right, or starboard, side of a vessel.
To starboard the helm
Port
A person's carriage or bearing
She has the proud port of a princess
Starboard
That side of a vessel which is on the right hand of a person who stands on board facing the bow; - opposed to larboard, or port.
Port
A transfer of software from one system or machine to another
The first port of a commercial database to this operating system
Starboard
Pertaining to the right-hand side of a ship; being or lying on the right side; as, the starboard shrouds; starboard quarter; starboard tack.
Port
A suitcase or travelling bag
She packed her ports and walked out
Starboard
To put to the right, or starboard, side of a vessel; as, to starboard the helm.
Port
Turn (a ship or its helm) to port
The yacht immediately raised all sail and ported her helm
Starboard
The right side of a ship or aircraft to someone facing the bow or nose
Port
Transfer (software) from one system or machine to another
The software can be ported to practically any platform
Starboard
Turn to the right, of helms or rudders
Port
Carry or convey
We ported the milk cans from the plentiful water supply of the gym
Starboard
Located on the right side of a ship or aircraft
Port
A place on a waterway with facilities for loading and unloading ships.
Starboard
Originating from the Old English term for steering side.
Historically, ships were steered from the Starboard.
Port
A city or town on a waterway with such facilities.
Starboard
An essential term for clear maritime communication.
The crew used Starboard to avoid directional confusion.
Port
The waterfront district of a city.
Port
A place along a coast that gives ships and boats protection from storms and rough water; a harbor.
Port
A port of entry.
Port
The left-hand side of a ship or aircraft facing forward. Also called larboard.
Port
An opening in a ship's side providing access to the interior.
Port
A porthole.
Port
(Archaic) A cover for a porthole.
Port
An opening, as in a cylinder or valve face, for the passage of steam or fluid.
Port
A hole in an armored vehicle or a fortified structure for viewing or for firing weapons.
Port
An entrance to or exit from a data network.
Port
A connection point for a peripheral device.
Port
(Scots) A gateway or portal, as to a town.
Port
A rich sweet fortified wine.
Port
The position of a rifle or other weapon when ported.
Port
The manner in which one carries oneself; bearing.
Port
Of, relating to, or on the port.
Port
To turn (a craft) or make a shift to the port side
Port the helm.
Ported sharply to avoid a shoal.
Port
(Computers) To modify (software) for use on a different machine or platform.
Port
To hold or carry (a weapon) diagonally across the body, with the muzzle or blade near the left shoulder.
Port
A place on the coast at which ships can shelter, or dock to load and unload cargo or passengers.
Port
A town or city containing such a place, a port city.
Port
The left-hand side of a vessel, including aircraft, when one is facing the front. Used to unambiguously refer to directions relative to the vessel structure, rather than to a person or object on board.
Port
(rowing) A sweep rower that primarily rows with an oar on the port side.
Each eight has four ports and four starboards.
Port
An entryway or gate.
Port
An opening or doorway in the side of a ship, especially for boarding or loading; an embrasure through which a cannon may be discharged; a porthole.
Port
A space between two stones wide enough for a delivered stone or bowl to pass through.
Port
An opening where a connection (such as a pipe) is made.
Port
(computing) A logical or physical construct in and from which data are transferred. Computer port (hardware)
Port
(computing) A female connector of an electronic device, into which a cable's male connector can be inserted.
Port
Something used to carry a thing, especially a frame for wicks in candle-making.
Port
(archaic) The manner in which a person carries himself; bearing; deportment; carriage. See also portance.
Port
(military) The position of a weapon when ported; a rifle position executed by throwing the weapon diagonally across the front of the body, with the right hand grasping the small of the stock and the barrel sloping upward and crossing the point of the left shoulder.
Port
(computing) A program that has been adapted, modified, or recoded so that it works on a different platform from the one for which it was created; the act of this adapting.
Gamers can't wait until a port of the title is released on the new system.
The latest port of the database software is the worst since we made the changeover.
Port
A set of files used to build and install a binary executable file from the source code of an application.
Port
A type of very sweet fortified wine, mostly dark red, traditionally made in Portugal.
Port
(Australia) A suitcase or schoolbag.
Port
(nautical) Of or relating to port, the left-hand side of a vessel when facing the bow.
On the port side
Port
To turn or put to the left or larboard side of a ship; said of the helm.
Port your helm!
Port
To carry, bear, or transport. See porter.
Port
(military) To hold or carry (a weapon) with both hands so that it lays diagonally across the front of the body, with the barrel or similar part near the left shoulder and the right hand grasping the small of the stock; or, to throw (the weapon) into this position on command.
Port arms!
Port
To adapt, modify, or create a new version of, a program so that it works on a different platform. Porting (computing)
Port
To carry or transfer (an existing telephone number) from one telephone service provider to another.
Port
To transfer a voucher or subsidy from one jurisdiction to another.
Port
A dark red or purple astringent wine made in Portugal. It contains a large percentage of alcohol.
Port
A place where ships may ride secure from storms; a sheltered inlet, bay, or cove; a harbor; a haven. Used also figuratively.
Peering in maps for ports and piers and roads.
We are in port if we have Thee.
Port
In law and commercial usage, a harbor where vessels are admitted to discharge and receive cargoes, from whence they depart and where they finish their voyages.
Port
A passageway; an opening or entrance to an inclosed place; a gate; a door; a portal.
Him I accuseThe city ports by this hath entered.
Form their ivory port the cherubimForth issuing.
Port
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.
Port
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.
Port
The manner in which a person bears himself; deportment; carriage; bearing; demeanor; hence, manner or style of living; as, a proud port.
And of his port as meek as is a maid.
The necessities of pomp, grandeur, and a suitable port in the world.
Port
The larboard or left side of a ship (looking from the stern toward the bow); as, a vessel heels to port. See Note under Larboard. Also used adjectively.
Port
To carry; to bear; to transport.
They are easily ported by boat into other shires.
Port
To throw, as a musket, diagonally across the body, with the lock in front, the right hand grasping the small of the stock, and the barrel sloping upward and crossing the point of the left shoulder; as, to port arms.
Began to hem him round with ported spears.
Port
To turn or put to the left or larboard side of a ship; - said of the helm, and used chiefly in the imperative, as a command; as, port your helm.
Port
A place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
Port
Sweet dark-red dessert wine originally from Portugal
Port
An opening (in a wall or ship or armored vehicle) for firing through
Port
The left side of a ship or aircraft to someone facing the bow or nose
Port
(computer science) computer circuit consisting of the hardware and associated circuitry that links one device with another (especially a computer and a hard disk drive or other peripherals)
Port
Transfer data from one computer to another via a cable that links connecting ports
Port
Put or turn on the left side, of a ship;
Port the helm
Port
Bring to port;
The captain ported the ship at night
Port
Land at or reach a port;
The ship finally ported
Port
Turn or go to the port or left side, of a ship;
The big ship was slowly porting
Port
Carry, bear, convey, or bring;
The small canoe could be ported easily
Port
Carry or hold with both hands diagonally across the body, especially of weapons;
Port a rifle
Port
Drink port;
We were porting all in the club after dinner
Port
Located on the left side of a ship or aircraft
Port
A place where ships dock to load and unload.
The cruise ship stopped at a Port in the Bahamas.
Port
An opening or entrance in a vessel or structure.
The Port window was slightly ajar.
Common Curiosities
Which side of the ship docks at the harbor?
Traditionally, the Port side faced the dock, which is why it's called Port.
Why are the terms Port and Starboard used instead of left and right?
Port and Starboard offer clear, unambiguous directions at sea, regardless of the viewer's orientation.
What colors are associated with Port and Starboard for navigation lights?
Port is associated with red, and Starboard is linked with green.
Does the term Port only relate to the side of a ship?
No, Port can also mean a harbor or a type of wine, while Starboard specifically refers to a ship's right side.
Is it essential to know Port and Starboard when sailing?
Absolutely, understanding Port and Starboard is crucial for safe navigation and communication at sea.
If I face the back of the boat, which side is Port?
Regardless of your orientation, Port remains the left side and Starboard the right.
Are there any mnemonics to remember Port and Starboard?
Yes, Port has four letters like "left," and both Port and red wine are red.
Are there symbols for Port and Starboard on maps or charts?
Nautical charts might not have symbols, but navigation lights on ships will represent Port and Starboard with red and green.
How old are these terms?
Both Port and Starboard have ancient origins rooted in maritime history and traditions.
Do all crew members need to know the difference between Port and Starboard?
Yes, it's essential for all crew members to differentiate between Port and Starboard for safety and communication.
What do Port and Starboard indicate on a ship?
Port denotes the left side, and Starboard indicates the right side when facing forward.
Can I use the terms Port and Starboard outside of a maritime context?
While it's common in maritime settings, using Port and Starboard outside might cause confusion.
Can the terms Port and Starboard change based on the direction of the ship?
No, regardless of the ship's direction, Port always refers to the left side and Starboard to the right when facing forward.
Why is the Starboard side associated with steering?
Historically, ships were steered from the right side, hence Starboard, derived from "steorbord."
Are the terms Port and Starboard universal?
While there may be language differences, the concepts of Port and Starboard are universally recognized in maritime contexts.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
