i hear about ported components in performance applications but what does it mean?

I think it means that if you have, say a tube, you shave off some of the material inside to make the interior diameter greater. This is why if you port & polish exhaust manifolds you increase the flow.

Opening up certian things such as a throttlebody, Inlet/outlet of a */c, intake ports in the LIM, intake/exhaust ports in the heads, and exhaust manifolds to get more flow.
There is a right and wrong way to do each of these.

Opening up air passages.

Anything that flows air, fuel or exhaust, being opened up. Polishing goes along with it.

Polishing makes the surface smoother, allows for better airflow as opposed to a rough surface and less turbulence compared to the same.....or thats my understanding at least.