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 of pore

Verb

• contemplate
• ponder
• consider
• debate
• entertain
• study
• think (about or over)
• mull (over)
• eye
• question
• wrestle (with)
• weigh

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

The science team, which includes about 60 people, was eagerly poring through mission images when Young talked to Scientific American. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 4 May 2026

As part of the investigation, police pored through Rincon’s lyrics, searching for anything that could be considered a reference to the homicide. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026

Noun

The spongy underside of the cap has pores—rather than gills as seen in Agaricales mushrooms such as shiitake and portobello—which are the openings to tubes through which spores exit the mushroom. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 May 2026

This cult Japanese skincare-meets-makeup hybrid is an ultra-fine powder to even out skin tone, soften the look of pores, and reduce shine, leaving a translucent finish with subtle coverage. —Anita Bhagwandas, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026

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 2

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pore

• pore fungus
• pore over

Rhymes for pore

• boar
• boer
• bore
• chore
• cor
• core
• corps
• crore
• door
• drawer
• floor
• flor

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