pore

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

Synonyms of pore

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

Examples of pore in a Sentence

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

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

But in reality, pore vacuums mostly remove surface debris. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026

And do pore strips really remove blackheads? —Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pouren

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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