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The Latin verb portare, meaning “to carry,” was the port of entry for many an English word, from the noun portfolio to familiar verbs report, support, and transport. (The port a ship uses comes from a different Latin source: portus, meaning “port.”) Purport too ultimately comes from portare, although its direct ancestor is the Anglo-French verb purporter, meaning “to carry” or “to mean.” Today, purport is typically used when someone or something makes a claim that may or may not be true; something purported to be a fact is not at all a sure thing. The skepticism that modern purporting generally requires wasn’t present in the original verb, however. In the late 17th century, a purported claim was assumed as true as any. And three centuries before that, to purport a message, idea, etc., was simply to convey it. Purport can also function as a noun with a meaning closely related to the older verb one: it can refer to the main or general meaning conveyed in a piece of writing, in someone’s actions, etc., as in “the purport of the visit” or “the essay’s purport.”
Examples of purport in a Sentence
Dan Walters, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
Because Iran is inaccessible to many journalists, readers must be especially careful about reporting purporting to know or show what is going on inside Iran.
—Andrea Hickerson, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2026
Residents were urged not to click on any links or scan any QR codes from messages purporting to be from a court.
—Aldo Toledo, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Mar. 2026
According to prosecutors, the pair held themselves out as the leaders of a nonprofit called Chula Vista Fast Pitch, which purported to support Chula Vista softball programs.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for purport
Cite this Entry
“Purport.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purport. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
purport
1 of 2 noun
purport
2 of 2 verb
