A(n) ________ provides a hardware interface, such as plugs and sockets, for connecting to computers.

A port serves as a hardware interface that enables the connection of various devices to a computer. It allows the transfer of data and power between the computer and external devices, like keyboards, mice, printers, or external storage. Ports can come in various forms, including USB ports, HDMI ports, and Ethernet ports, among others.

This concept is pivotal in understanding how a computer interacts with peripheral devices. Ports can be internal, such as those found on a motherboard for certain hardware components, or external, which you can easily locate for connecting external devices.

The other options do not define a hardware interface in the same way. For instance, an input device refers to any equipment that sends data to the computer, like a keyboard or mouse, but does not primarily serve as an interface. The Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a specific type of port used widely for connections, but it is not a general term for all hardware interfaces. A removable storage device refers to external storage, like a USB flash drive, but again, it does not represent the concept of an interface for connecting devices.