portfolio

noun

port·​fo·​lio pȯrt-ˈfō-lē-ˌō 

plural portfolios

1

: a hinged cover or flexible case for carrying loose papers, pictures, or pamphlets

2

[from the use of such a case to carry documents of state] : the office and functions of a minister of state or member of a cabinet

3

: the securities held by an investor : the commercial paper held by a financial house (such as a bank)

4

: a set of pictures (such as drawings or photographs) usually bound in book form or loose in a folder

5

: a selection of a student's work (such as papers and tests) compiled over a period of time and used for assessing performance or progress

Did you know?

Portfolio is partly based on the Latin folium, meaning "leaf, sheet". A portfolio usually represents a portable showcase of your talents. Today actual portfolios are used less than they used to be by artists, since most commercial artists have a website dedicated to showing off their art. But portfolio in its other common meaning is extremely common. Not so long ago, a broker would keep each of his or her clients' investments in a separate notebook or portfolio. Today the investment portfolio, like an artist's portfolio, usually takes the form of a Web page, even though everyone still uses the same old word.

Examples of portfolio in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For Microsoft, cloud computing platform Azure is the star of its AI portfolio, according to analysts from Goldman Sachs and Citi. —Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2024

And while some people just want an RIA to manage their investment portfolio, most are looking for more comprehensive financial services that include retirement, estate and tax planning as well as bill paying and a college savings roadmap in some cases, Stevens says. —Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2024

His real estate portfolio may then be exposed to seizure by James. —Brooke Singman, Fox News, 22 Apr. 2024

In 1852, the heirs enshrined Pierrepont’s lot-by-lot restrictions by agreeing to a list of setbacks and other site restrictions that would automatically apply as covenants for land transfers on all of the Brooklyn Heights streets in their portfolio. —Jeremy Lechtzin, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024

His portfolio includes the Dolphin Mall, which opened in 2001 and required a complex series of off-site transportation improvements and taxing districts to fund improvements. —Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024

Such collabs have become commonplace in the fashion industry, as brands seek to expand their portfolios beyond apparel. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2024

To maintain eligibility, students must provide annual activity logs and performance portfolios, including rankings and awards, that will be reviewed by some of the program’s administrators. —Annika Bahnsen, Orange County Register, 14 Apr. 2024

Effective this coming Monday, 4/15, oversight of Chris’ portfolio will be divided among several of our senior leaders as follows: MGM+ and MGM Television – led by Michael Wright and Josh McIvor; and Lindsey Sloane, respectively – will now report to Kelly Day. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian portafoglio, from portare to carry (from Latin) + foglio leaf, sheet, from Latin folium — more at blade

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

portfolio

noun

port·​fo·​lio pōrt-ˈfō-lē-ˌō 

pȯrt-

plural portfolios

1

: a case for carrying papers or drawings

2

: the office and functions of a minister of state or member of a cabinet

3

: the stocks and bonds held by an investor or investment firm

4

: a set of pictures (as drawings or photographs) usually bound in book form or loose in a folder

5

: a selection of a student's work (as papers or art) collected over a period of time

Etymology

an altered form of earlier porto folio "portfolio," from Italian portafoglio (same meaning), from portare "to carry" and foglio "leaf, sheet"; portare from Latin portare "to carry" and foglio from Latin folium "leaf" — related to foliage, portable

Legal Definition

portfolio

noun

port·​fo·​lio pōrt-ˈfō-lē-ō 

: the securities held by an investor : the commercial paper held by a financial institution (as a bank)