porthole

noun

port·​hole ˈpȯrt-ˌhōl How to pronounce porthole (audio)
1
: an opening (such as a window) with a cover or closure especially in the side of a ship or aircraft
2
: a port through which to shoot
3

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The lower level, which has been named the Barnacle, features porthole windows that continue to the marine theme. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 Jan. 2023 These days the flight experience generally means hunching in a narrow seat, nibbling on a bag of pretzels, and straining to glimpse the sky through a tiny porthole. Discover Magazine, 31 May 2012 The porthole window in the archway matched the circular opening in the crown. Curbed, 2 Nov. 2022 But, like the later human Mercury astronauts, Ham could have seen out of the capsule’s small porthole window. Eric Betz, Discover Magazine, 21 Apr. 2020 In the restaurant, Mr. Djiba jumped out of a porthole and plunged into the ocean. Elian Peltier, New York Times, 25 Sep. 2022 In the restaurant, Djiba jumped out of a porthole and plunged into the ocean. Elian Peltier, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Sep. 2022 Staring out the porthole, Piccard and Kipfer became the first humans to see the curvature of the Earth. Ben Taub, The New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2022 According to Walsh, Piccard switched on the exterior lights and peered through the only porthole—a thick cone of glass, the diameter of a quarter—into the blackness. Ben Taub, The New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'porthole.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

port entry 2

First Known Use

1569, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of porthole was in 1569

Dictionary Entries Near porthole

Cite this Entry

“Porthole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/porthole. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

Kids Definition

porthole

noun
port·​hole ˈpōrt-ˌhōl How to pronounce porthole (audio)
ˈpȯrt-
1
: an opening in the side of a ship or aircraft
2
: an opening to shoot through

More from Merriam-Webster on porthole

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