n.
City (pop., 2000: 139,529), southwestern Connecticut, U.S. Located on Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Pequonnock River, it was settled in 1639.
Its earlier names included Newfield and Stratford; Bridgeport was chosen in 1800. P.T. Barnum was once its mayor, and his star attraction "Tom Thumb" was born there. The city evolved into an industrial centre following the American Civil War . In the late 20th century, its industrial base eroded, causing financial problems for the city.