1
: a covered area adjoining an entrance to a building and usually having a separate roof
2
obsolete : portico

Examples of porch in a Sentence

The house has a large front porch. vacationers relaxing on the inn's spacious front porch
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Traditionally, May Day baskets are taken to the recipient's house and hung on the doorknob or left on the porch in secret, a sweet, unexpected way to brighten up a neighbor's May Day. Valerie Fraser Luesse, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2025 The dog walked to the porch and died there without receiving any aid, according to the lawsuit. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025 Hull's new album A Tip Toe High Wire is her first in five years, and her songwriting and mandolin skills emanate coziness throughout making each listen feel akin to sitting on the porch in the summer breeze. Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025 The only green on the porch are two geraniums and several succulents. Joan Morris, Mercury News, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for porch

Word History

Etymology

Middle English porche, from Anglo-French, from Latin porticus portico, from porta gate; akin to Latin portus port — more at ford

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of porch was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Porch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/porch. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

porch

noun
ˈpōrch How to pronounce porch (audio)
ˈpȯrch
: a covered entrance to a building usually with a separate roof

More from Merriam-Webster on porch

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