porthouse noun2 •A building that contains the offices of officials responsible for running a port, space for customs, etc.To make this short trip, one goes to the wharf of Cavite or to where the porthouse is and, once there, ask about the ship for Bulacan. — 1885 •The main cabin on the port side of a boat.The starboard-house is a small galley and the porthouse contains the stairway leading below to the captain's cabin and mate's messroom. — 1936 formsporthouses
