Phrase guide

first port of call

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The first port that a vessel calls in at after the start of a voyage

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: nautical, transport

Examples

  • After leaving from Southampton, our first port of call will be Gibraltar.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The first place to go to start a process.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • When you move to a new country, your first port of call is often the local police.
  • To find the meaning of a word, your first port of call should be a decent dictionary.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.