Pair consuming port earlier (5)
I believe the answer is:
prior
'earlier' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'pair consuming port' is the wordplay.
'pair' becomes 'pr' (abbreviation).
'consuming' indicates putting letters inside.
'port' becomes 'rio' (Rio de Janeiro is a port).
'pr' going around 'rio' is 'PRIOR'.
(Other definitions for prior that I've seen before include "Pre-existing; head friar" , "head of a house of friars" , "English keeper" , "Former - holy man" , "deputy head in monastery" .)