porthole

noun

port·​hole ˈpȯrt-ˌhōl 

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

: port entry 2 sense 2

Examples of porthole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For the budget-conscious, there are Ocean View suites with big picture windows and 10 suites with portholes. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026

To accommodate these experiments, the Concorde 001 prototype underwent significant modifications, notably the creation of four portholes in the ceiling, with one dedicated window for each experiment. — Dhananjay Khadilkar, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026

The Staterooms The majority of Star Legend’s 156 staterooms are 277-square-foot suites with separate sleeping and sitting areas and either small portholes, a large picture window, or a step-out-only French balcony. — Erica Silverstein, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026

Circular motifs carved into the doors are reminiscent of the portholes of luxury ocean liners that once docked nearby on the Hudson River. — Troy J. McMullen, Architectural Digest, 9 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

port entry 2

First Known Use

1569, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for porthole

• bankroll
• bedroll
• borehole
• cajole
• catchpole
• charcoal
• condole
• control
• dipole
• downhole
• enroll
• extol

Kids Definition

porthole

noun

port·​hole ˈpōrt-ˌhōl 

ˈpȯrt-

1

: an opening in the side of a ship or aircraft

2

: an opening to shoot through