portfolio

noun

port·fo·lio | \ pȯrt-ˈfō-lē-ˌō

plural portfolios

Definition of portfolio

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? Example Sentences Learn More about portfolio

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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 Web site 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

Jacqui SpiceTouch of SpiceHer portfolio includes sprawling countryside retreats, private islands, and other escapes, plus all sorts of staff—private drivers, yoga teachers, chefs—to help round out your trip. — Paul Brady, Condé Nast Traveler, "2018 Top Travel Specialists We Trust," 19 Oct. 2018 Don't expect sweeping, coordinated changes across Google's entire app portfolio, though. — Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, "Android 9 Pie, thoroughly reviewed," 13 Sep. 2018 It was designed to be kind of a counterbalance to the Heritage Foundation, which is the big conservative think tank, still is, and just moved over there without any kind of portfolio or job description. — Eric Johnson, Recode, "Republican fury about ‘bias’ on the internet is just a distraction, ThinkProgress founder Judd Legum says," 30 Aug. 2018 What’s more, Uffman says, the line of credit grows at a rate higher than that of a conservative investment portfolio. — Robert Powell, USA TODAY, "8 steps to building a better nest egg for your retirement years," 27 June 2018 How is this different than other portfolios my child has made? — Mandy Mclaren, The Courier-Journal, "JCPS is launching digital backpacks. Here's what parents need to know," 4 June 2018 Yet some Wall Street traders with portfolios full of digital assets are even quitting their high-paying traditional finance jobs to trade cryptocurrencies full-time. — Alyssa Newcomb /, NBC News, "Scottish hospital is ready to treat cryptocurrency addicts," 1 June 2018 The six winners were selected by an anonymous jury from more than 900 portfolios submitted by Baltimore-area artists. — Mary Carole Mccauley, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore artist Amy Sherald, who painted Michelle Obama's portrait, wins $40,000," 18 May 2018 Rick Laning will highlight wines from Heidelberg's portfolio. — Marc Bona, cleveland.com, "Wine calendar: Evening of Champagne at 750ml Wines, Stroll Through France wine dinner, Talley Vineyards at L'Albatros, more," 15 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'portfolio.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.