pore

verb \ ˈpȯr \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of pore

pored; poring

intransitive verb

1 : to gaze intently

2 : to read or study attentively —usually used with over

3 : to reflect or meditate steadily

See pore defined for English-language learners

See pore defined for kids

Recent Examples of pore from the Web

While the original allegations of financial wrong-doing against him were explosive, Monday’s hearing was more of an exercise in accounting than courtroom theatrics, with both the defense and prosecution poring over calculations from the audit.

— deborah sullivan brennan, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Ousted Poway Superintendent John Collins in pre-trial hearing," 16 Apr. 2018
Rosshart had joined the lab of NIDDKD immunologist Barbara Rehermann in 2013, and the two began poring over the literature on the microbiome, the collection of microorganisms that live on and in a larger organism.

— cassandra willyard, Scientific American, "Squeaky Clean Mice Could be Ruining Research," 9 Apr. 2018
But months of poring over maps and following current events has him eager to try the semifinal questions.

— don stacom, Courant Community, "Showdown Looms At CCSU For Young Geography Prodigies," 5 Apr. 2018
His trial was moved from this April to September as prosecutors and attorneys pore over more than 300,000 pages of documents related to the sprawling case.

— NBC News, "'What's up, Chapo?' DEA agent talks about capturing Mexican kingpin for first time," 4 Apr. 2018
The Washington Post scrambled a team of journalists to pore over the documents through the night.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Friday news dumps tell the story of Trump’s first year," 19 Jan. 2018
Normally, a President would only make such a pronouncements after weeks of briefings and meetings, after poring over policy papers providing an in-depth understanding of the battlefield and a set of options on a tough issue.

— stephen collinson, CNN, "Trump embraces his instincts at a key global moment," 2 Apr. 2018
Judy, a former interior designer, pored over stacks of blueprints before choosing one for the north-side lot.

— emma kate fittes, Indianapolis Star, "Hot Property: Inside a $750K Indianapolis home," 30 Mar. 2018
Wade is an obsessive student of both Halliday and popular culture, poring over the most-minute details of both in search of clues.

— bill goodykoontz, azcentral, "Steven Spielberg's 'Ready Player One' visually striking but emotionally unfulfilling," 28 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pore.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of pore

Middle English pouren

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

pore

noun

Definition of pore

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

play \ˈpȯrd\ adjective

See pore defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of pore from the Web

As the camera peers into Lord’s invisible pores, his friend futzes with art supplies and confesses faintly shocking non sequiturs, like his youthful habit of falling asleep by fantasizing about raping and killing women.

— jeannette catsoulis, kansascity, "‘Final Portrait’ draws a fuzzy picture of an artist | The Kansas City Star," 18 Apr. 2018
Never mind that Linden had already covered most of the 26.2-mile race in the type of rain that doesn’t just wash over your head but wraps you in its cold sheets of water, seeping into your every pore.

— tara sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, "A day dripping with emotion for indefatigable Marathon winner Desiree Linden," 17 Apr. 2018
Touch in Sol No Poreblem Primer A cult-favorite, this primer conceals pores and wrinkles and evens out complexion.

— meghan overdeep, Southern Living, "Hold the Phone: Costco Just Entered the Korean Beauty Game With This All-In-One Kit," 10 Apr. 2018
Whether your skin has texture to it due to large pores, acne scars, or fine lines, Tabe says this treatment is ideal.

— brooke shunatona, Cosmopolitan, "8 Things You Need to Know About Microneedling Before You Try It," 28 Feb. 2018
Its approach involved taking single strands of the double helix and stuffing them through a protein pore.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "Pocket-sized DNA reader used to scan entire human genome sequence," 30 Jan. 2018
Veneer options include open-pore oak or walnut wood, carbon fiber and aluminum, matte-silver fiberglass, or a combination of aluminum door trim with black open-pore ash wood on the console.

— steve siler, Car and Driver, "2019 Mercedes-AMG C63 Sedan, Coupe, and Cabriolet," 29 Mar. 2018
This can no doubt render every facial imperfection and skin pore in stunning detail.

— ron amadeo, Ars Technica, "$2,100 Huawei smartphone comes with 3 rear cameras, 2 fingerprint readers," 27 Mar. 2018
This softens the skin and hair and opens the pores, giving you a smoother shave with less friction from your own stubble.

— adam hurly, GQ, "How to Prevent Razor Burn," 3 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of pore

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

PORE Defined for English Language Learners

pore

noun

Definition of pore for English Language Learners

: a very small opening on the surface of your skin that liquid comes out through when you sweat
: a small opening on the surface of a plant, a rock, etc.