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

The safe stayed in the hall briefly, moving outside near the Capitol’s east portico for the next 80 years. — Sydney Topf, The Washington Examiner, 24 June 2026

Guests re-create scenes for social media, posing under the geometric portico, at window sills, in elevators or on the side of the bed in the custom Masaru Mineo yukata (a light Japanese robe). — Carrie Bell, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

But even without Trump ordering up porticoes and colonnades, the architects would likely have looked backward to look forward. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 8 June 2026

Perhaps the best perch is dead center in the main hotel’s portico, which can be accessed by one of the guest suites. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026

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