pore

1 of 2

verb

ˈpȯr 

pored; poring

intransitive verb

1

: to gaze intently

2

: to read or study attentively

—usually used with over

3

: to reflect or meditate steadily

pore

2 of 2

noun

1

: a minute opening especially in an animal or plant

especially : one by which matter passes through a membrane

2

: a small interstice (as in soil) admitting absorption or passage of liquid

pored

ˈpȯrd 

adjective

Synonyms

Verb

• chew over
• cogitate
• consider
• contemplate
• debate
• deliberate
• entertain
• eye
• kick around
• meditate
• mull (over)
• perpend
• ponder
• question
• revolve
• ruminate
• study
• think (about or over)
• turn
• weigh
• wrestle (with)

Examples of pore in a Sentence

Verb

the committee will probably pore over the results of the study for a long time before making their decision

he pored over the textbook for hours in preparation for the test

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

So instead of looking for hope from the headline readings, which aren’t expected to change much from December, markets will pore through the details for trends that could shed some hope that the Fed eventually will be able to start lowering rates again. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2025

Investors will be left to pore through the post-meeting statement, which is expected to be little changed, then turn to Chair Jerome Powell’s news conference at 2:30 p.m. ET. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025

Noun

Murad Daily Clarifying Peel Used P50 to clear pores? —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 6 Feb. 2025

Need to see every pore and bead of sweat on your favorite player's face? —K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English pouren

Noun

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin porus, from Greek poros passage, pore — more at fare

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pore

• pore fungus
• pore over

Kids Definition

pore

1 of 2 verb

ˈpō(ə)r 

ˈpȯ(ə)r

pored; poring

: to read with great attention : study

pore over a book

pore

2 of 2 noun

: a tiny opening or space (as in the skin or the soil)

pored

ˈpō(ə)rd

ˈpȯ(ə)rd

adjective

Medical Definition

pore

noun

ˈpō(ə)r, ˈpȯ(ə)r 

: a minute opening especially in an animal or plant

especially : one by which matter passes through a membrane