a parliamentary and municipal borough and market-town in the county of Dorset, 13 miles W. by N. from Dorchester, between two branches of the river Brit, a little above their confluence. It consists of three wide and well-paved streets, and has a town-hall, mechanics' institute, with reading and lecture rooms, market-house, jail, custom-house, savings-bank, national and infant schools, alms-houses, and several charities, with manufactures of sailcloth, cordage, twine, fishing-nets, &c. The parish church is an ancient cruciform edifice in the perpendicular style. The harbour, which lies about a mile south of the town, has by extensive improvements been rendered safe, and accessible to vessels of 250 tons burden. In 1849, 279 vessels of 19,405 tons entered, 149 vessels of 7795 tons cleared, and 20 vessels of 2428 tons belonged to the port. The customs-duties that year amounted to £2821. Bridport is governed by a mayor, six aldermen, and eighteen councillors, and returns two members to parliament. Pop. (1851) 7566.