portico

noun

por·​ti·​co ˈpȯr-ti-ˌkō 

plural porticoes or porticos

: a colonnade or covered ambulatory especially in classical architecture and often at the entrance of a building

Illustration of portico

Examples of portico in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Past a circular motor court, a host of elegant design features present themselves, from its stone and limestone facade, where a towering arched doorway tucked into a portico embellished with Corinthian columns makes for a grand entrance to the home, to its mansard roof. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2025

Its columned portico and ornate moldings anchor it to Edwardian London. —Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

The drawings show a north façade that is mostly contextual (Federal-repro porticoes) and a south front that is less so (topped with Victorian domes of vaguely mansard form). —Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 1 Aug. 2025

Falke is partial to their selection of French portico clocks: 19th-century timepieces with classical columns and gilded pendulums. —David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from Latin porticus — more at porch

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for portico

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

portico

noun

por·​ti·​co ˈpōrt-i-ˌkō 

ˈpȯrt-

plural porticoes or porticos

: a row of columns supporting a roof at the entrance of a building