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portico

portico

8 7.9
A covered entrance to a building with columns like a porch
  • noun
  • /ˈpɔrtɪkoʊ/
translation icon : pórtico
  • As they approached the old mansion, they admired the tall columns of the portico framing the entrance.
  • portico of a temple
  • portico of a palace

Examples

  • A long line of black sedans with congressional plates pulls up to the South Portico.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Up the wide steps, under the verdigris-fronted portico into a lobby painted with vivid frescoes.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Booth is there, a face in the crowd, on the steps of the east portico.

  • But later, when we stood on the portico of the Royal Exchange... he became quiet and reflected.

  • At the back of the church, under a portico, she found the entrance to Fellowship Hall.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • On Tuesday, April 11th, faithful to his promise, Lincoln speaks from the north portico of the White House.

  • And at the same time, the architects decided to modernize the northern end of the structure and to add a new portico to the building.

  • Even the conversation that had started among those gathered on the portico was milder now, deflated.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Soledad dragged the rocking chair to the portico and sat, staring at the street as if something interesting might happen.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Mrs. Chu emerges from the shadows of the portico, rolling her wheelchair toward Sharon.

    Fiction book (2001)

Synonyms

porch
vsportico
426 1.0

A covered area by the front door where people can sit or leave things

is the more formal, columned entrance rather than any simple covered entry
front porch
vsportico
56 2.0

A covered area at the front of a house where people can sit

is focused on a formal supported entrance rather than a leisure front area
stoop
vsportico
  • US
37 3.9

A small set of steps at the front of a house

is larger and architecturally supported, not just a small step or entry
veranda
vsportico
19 2.7

A roofed platform along a house at ground level, often partly enclosed

is concentrated at the main building entrance rather than along the exterior
porticus
vsportico
  • Specialized
9.9

A covered walkway supported by columns at the front of Roman or Greek buildings

is the common architectural entrance form rather than a specifically classical feature
stoa
vsportico
  • Specialized
9.9

A covered walkway with columns used for public meetings in ancient Greece

is an entrance feature for buildings rather than a public meeting walkway

How Grand

portico
8 7.9
porch
426 1.0
stoop
  • US
37 3.9

Surface Forms

portico singular
porticos plural

Etymology

Portico comes from the Latin porticus, from porta meaning 'gate' or 'door'. So a portico is a covered entrance — like a grand porch or portal with columns.