plural doors
1
a
: a movable piece of wood, glass, or metal that swings or slides open and shut so that people can enter or leave a room, building, vehicle, etc.
open/shut/slam/lock/bolt the door
I heard a knock on/at the door.
the bedroom/bathroom/cellar door
The car has four doors. = It's a four-door car.
Leave the package at the front/back/side door. [=the door at the front/back/side of the house, building, etc.]
Can you answer the door? [=open the door to see who is knocking on the door or ringing the doorbell]
Is somebody at the door? [=knocking on the door or ringing the doorbell]
Let me open the door for you. = (US) Let me get the door for you.
(US) Can you get the door? [=can you open or close the door for me?] My hands are full.
an exterior/outside door [=a door that can be used to enter or leave a building]
an interior door [=a door inside a building; a door that connects rooms]
a garage door [=a large door that covers the opening through which a car enters and leaves a garage]
turn/pull the door handle
a large brass door knocker [=knocker]
b
: a part of an object (such as piece of furniture or an appliance) that swings or slides open and shut
the cupboard/closet/refrigerator/oven door
2
: the opening for a door : the entrance to a room or building : doorway
Please don't block the door.
I peeked through the open door.
He stood at/before the door.
He greeted his guests as they came in/through the door. = He greeted his guests at the door.
She walked out the door [=left] without saying goodbye.
standing (just/right) inside/outside the door [=inside/outside the room, building, etc., near the door]
3
: a house, building, apartment, office, etc.
—used with an adverb to indicate where something is in relation to something else
She lives in a house two doors down/up from me. [=there is one house between our houses]
The library is a few doors down from the bank. [=there are several buildings between the library and the bank]
We grew up two doors apart. [=with one house/apartment between our houses/apartments]
Note: If you do something (from) door to door, you do it at each of the houses, apartments, or buildings in an area.
4
—used especially with open or unlock to describe an opportunity or possibility
The grant will open new doors for our town. [=will give our town new opportunities]
The discovery may unlock the door to a cure for the disease.
The door is open (to you) if you want a better job.
A good education can open/unlock the door of success. [=can make success possible]
The patent on the product has expired, which leaves the door open for [=makes it possible for] other companies to make it.
Cite this Entry
“Door.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/door. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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