PORTSMOUTH, a seaport-town of the United States of North America, in the state of Virginia, on the left bank of the Elizabeth river, opposite the town of Norfolk, 160 miles S.E. of Richmond. It is well and regularly built on level ground, and it contains a large and showy naval hospital, a court-house, six churches, a literary, scientific, and military academy, and other buildings. In the suburb of Gosport there is a government dry dock capable of admitting the largest vessels. Portsmouth is connected by railway with Charlestown in South Carolina; and steamers ply daily between this and Richmond. The harbour is safe and accessible to the largest ships. Pop. 8626.