Definition of portage
1 : the labor of carrying or transporting
2 archaic : the cost of carrying : porterage
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
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Did You Know?
Portage was borrowed from French back in the 15th century to mean "carrying, transporting" or "freight", and it has kept its simple "carrying" sense to the present day. But its first known use in its "carrying of boats" sense came in 1698, and the obstacle that the canoes couldn't be steered over was none other than Niagara Falls. Though canoes are much lighter today than they used to be, a long portage that includes a lot of camping gear can still test a camper's strength.
Origin and Etymology of portage
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from porter to carry
First Known Use: 15th century
Definition of portage
portaged
;portaging
transitive verb
: to carry over a portage
intransitive verb
: to move gear over a portage
1836
First Known Use of portage
1836
Portage
playDefinition of Portage
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
Did You Know?
Portage was borrowed from French back in the 15th century to mean "carrying, transporting" or "freight", and it has kept its simple "carrying" sense to the present day. But its first known use in its "carrying of boats" sense came in 1698, and the obstacle that the canoes couldn't be steered over was none other than Niagara Falls. Though canoes are much lighter today than they used to be, a long portage that includes a lot of camping gear can still test a camper's strength.
Learn More about portage
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See words that rhyme with portage Nglish: Translation of portage for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about portage
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