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.
Enjoy your morning coffee or tea on the private back porch, or settle into the living room with a good book. Gabriela Ulloa, Architectural Digest, 25 Oct. 2025 Jack-o’-lanterns flicker on doorsteps, skeletons hang from porches and children test out their costumes before the big night. Brandi D. Addison, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Oct. 2025 The producer, the director, and a few other execs sat on the porch and sipped drinks as the sun went down. Cameron Crowe, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025 Clear steps, porches and walkways to prevent falls. Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 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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