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porter

noun (1)
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por·​ter | \ ˈpȯr-tər How to pronounce porter (audio) \
plural porters

Definition of porter

 (Entry 1 of 10)

chiefly British
: a person stationed at a door or gate to admit or assist those entering

porter

noun (2)
plural porters

Definition of porter (Entry 2 of 10)

1 : a person who carries burdens especially : one employed to carry baggage for patrons at a hotel or transportation terminal
2 : a parlor-car or sleeping-car attendant who waits on passengers and makes up berths
3 [short for porter's beer] : a heavy dark brown ale typically brewed from browned or charred malt
4 : a person who does routine cleaning (as in a hospital or office)

porter

verb
portered; portering; porters

Definition of porter (Entry 3 of 10)

transitive verb

: to transport or carry as or as if by a porter

intransitive verb

: to act as a porter

Porter

biographical name (1)
Por·​ter | \ ˈpȯr-tər How to pronounce Porter (audio) \

Definition of Porter (Entry 4 of 10)

Cole Albert 1891–1964 American songwriter

Porter

biographical name (2)

Definition of Porter (Entry 5 of 10)

David 1780–1843 and his son David Dixon 1813–1891 American naval officers

Porter

biographical name (3)

Definition of Porter (Entry 6 of 10)

Eliot Furness 1901–1990 American photographer

Porter

biographical name (4)

Definition of Porter (Entry 7 of 10)

Gene 1868–1924 née Stratton American novelist

Porter

biographical name (5)

Definition of Porter (Entry 8 of 10)

Katherine Anne 1890–1980 American writer

Porter

biographical name (6)

Definition of Porter (Entry 9 of 10)

Noah 1811–1892 American philosopher and lexicographer

Porter

biographical name (7)

Definition of Porter (Entry 10 of 10)

William Sydney 1862–1910 pseudonym O. Henry \ (ˈ)ō-​ˈhen-​rē How to pronounce Porter (audio) \ American short-story writer

First Known Use of porter

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1609, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

History and Etymology for porter

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin portarius, from Latin porta gate — more at port

Noun (2)

Middle English portour, from Anglo-French porteour, from Late Latin portator, from Latin portare to carry — more at fare

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Time Traveler for porter

Time Traveler

The first known use of porter was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Porter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/porter. Accessed 24 Jun. 2021.

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More Definitions for porter

porter

noun
por·​ter | \ ˈpȯr-tər How to pronounce porter (audio) \

Kids Definition of porter

1 : a person whose job is to carry baggage (as at a hotel)
2 : a person whose job is helping passengers on a train

More from Merriam-Webster on porter

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for porter

Nglish: Translation of porter for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of porter for Arabic Speakers

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