por·tage | \ ˈpȯr-tij 
, sense 3 is also pȯr-ˈtäzh \
, sense 3 is also pȯr-ˈtäzh \Definition of portage
(Entry 1 of 3)
1 : the labor of carrying or transporting
3a : the carrying of boats or goods overland from one body of water to another or around an obstacle (such as a rapids)
b : the route followed in making such a transfer
portage
verbpor·tage | \ ˈpȯr-tij , pȯr-ˈtäzh \
, pȯr-ˈtäzh \portaged; portaging
Definition of portage (Entry 2 of 3)
: to carry over a portage
: to move gear over a portage
Portage
geographical namePor·tage | \ ˈpȯr-tij \
\Definition of Portage (Entry 3 of 3)
1 city on Lake Michigan in northwestern Indiana east of Gary population 36,828
2 city in southwestern Michigan south of Kalamazoo population 46,292
Keep scrolling for more
Examples of portage in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Towards the end, a fascinating part of the Helmericks’ journey involves their portage between rivers.
—
Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, "In the 1940s, 2 naïve, unprepared kids paddled down the Yukon River. The story of what happened is an Alaska classic.," 2 Jan. 2021 Magnus said the lot will be converted to a passive park and will provide opportunities for fishing, relaxing and include a portage path for canoes, paddle boards and kayaks between the lakes.
—
Evan Frank, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A property in Oconomowoc's Isthmus district will become condos if the community doesn't raise $1.35 million," 4 Aug. 2020 The Indian Agency House was built along the portage route between the Fox and Wisconsin rivers in 1832 to house agent John H. Kinzie and his wife, Juliette.
—
Barry Adams, Star Tribune, "A picture of the past emerges in Portage," 1 Aug. 2020 The $2 million plan from the Parks Department included a fish passage in the west side of the Milwaukee River, a scenic overlook, portage area and access to the water for people with disabilities, and dam repairs.
—
Alison Dirr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Public opposition sends latest Kletzsch Park dam proposal back to the drawing board," 24 Feb. 2020 The $2 million plan from Milwaukee County Parks includes a fish passage in the west side of the Milwaukee River; a scenic overlook, portage area and access to the water for people with disabilities; and dam repairs.
—
Alison Dirr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'Better delay than err': Latest Kletzsch Park dam proposal stalled by questions, concerns," 24 Dec. 2019 The last to sign the guest book at the portage trail was August 13.
—
John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, "Denali Highway is in great shape, and caribou are there for the taking," 8 Sep. 2019 Motorboats were used to get crews to the first portage point, then rescuers used canoes the rest of the way to retrieve the members.
—
CBS News, "Girl Scouts rescued by boat after lightning strike at campsite," 27 July 2019 Volunteer paddlers assisted to collect data on access sites, journey segments, hazards, dams and portages, amenities at access sites and more.
—
Beacon-news Staff, Aurora Beacon-News, "Workshops planned to share information about Fox River Water Trail," 14 June 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The group tried to portage before needing to leave four canoes in muck, Williams said, and outfitters later retrieved them.
—
Bob Timmons, Star Tribune, "As newcomers increase in Boundary Waters, so do calls for help," 30 July 2020 Or couples could paddle a two-person raft on easier stretches of river, with instruction from guides, and portage their boats around more difficult rapids.
—
Brian E. Clark, Los Angeles Times, "Why whitewater rafting could be the safest way to a family vacation this summer," 8 May 2020 While several paddlers made it through unscathed, others got hung up on the rocks or opted to portage out past the rapids.
—
Annie Gentile, Courant Community, "Cold Greets Paddlers In Hockanum River Race," 1 May 2018 And because seasonal dams erected near Johnson’s Beach and Vacation Beach usually come down after Labor Day, fall paddlers don’t have to portage boats, either.
—
Sunset, "How to Boat Camp the Russian River," 22 Jan. 2018 Slatten said that the tributary is one of the many streams and rivers that connect the lakes in the area and can take away the need for canoeists to portage from one waterway to the next.
—
Andrew Krueger, Twin Cities, "2 Twin Cities canoeists overdue in BWCA wilderness are found," 1 June 2017
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'portage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on portage
What made you want to look up portage? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
- What is an earlier meaning of nice?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Anagram puzzles meet word search.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
Do you know these earlier meanings of words?
Take the quiz - Words of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quiz - How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
Take the quiz - SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share portage
Time Traveler for portage
The first known use of portage was in the 15th century
See more words from the same century