door

[ dawr, dohr ]

noun

1. a movable, usually solid, barrier for opening and closing an entranceway, cupboard, cabinet, or the like, commonly turning on hinges or sliding in grooves.
2. a doorway:

   to go through the door.

3. the building, house, etc., to which a door belongs:

   My friend lives two doors down the street.

4. any means of approach, admittance, or access:

   the doors to learning.

5. any gateway marking an entrance or exit from one place or state to another:

   at heaven's door.

door

/ dɔː /

noun

1. 1. a hinged or sliding panel for closing the entrance to a room, cupboard, etc
   2. ( in combination )

      doorbell

      doorknob

2. a doorway or entrance to a room or building
3. a means of access or escape

   a door to success

4. early doors informal.
   early doors sport at an early stage
5. lay at someone's door
   lay at someone's door to lay (the blame or responsibility) on someone
6. out of doors
   out of doors in or into the open air
7. show someone the door
   show someone the door to order someone to leave

Other Words From

• doorless adjective
• half-door adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of door¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English dore, Old English duru “door,” dor “gate”; akin to German Tür, Old Norse dyrr, Greek thýra, Latin foris, Old Irish dorus, Old Chursh Slavonic dvĭrĭ

Word History and Origins

Origin of door¹

Old English duru; related to Old Frisian dure, Old Norse dyrr, Old High German turi, Latin forēs, Greek thura

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. lay at someone's door, to hold someone accountable for; blame; impute.
2. leave the door open, to allow the possibility of accommodation or change; be open to reconsideration:

   The boss rejected our idea but left the door open for discussing it again next year.

3. lie at someone's door, to be the responsibility of; be imputable to:

   One's mistakes often lie at one's own door.

4. show someone the door, to request or order someone to leave; dismiss:

   She resented his remark and showed him the door.

More idioms and phrases containing door

see at death's door ; at one's door ; back door ; beat a path to someone's door ; behind closed doors ; close the door on ; darken one's door ; foot in the door ; keep the wolf from the door ; lay at someone's door ; leave the door open ; lock the barn door ; next door to ; open doors ; open the door to ; see someone out (to the door) ; show someone out (to the door) ; show someone the door .

Example Sentences

No one rushes us out the door, but I’m aware the clock is ticking as I push away from the table and prepare to leave what’s been a delightful evening out.

From Washington Post

Although social media allows us to easily unfriend or unfollow someone, closing the door “on a human relationship that has had some closeness at one point in time” isn’t as simple in real life, Boss said.

From Washington Post

Thanks to some specific, well-used gear, I usually make it out the door.

From Outside Online

One was arrested after he allegedly pulled his sister’s door off its hinges so he could attack her.

From Washington Post

So we had to come to this understanding and agreement that if dance can get a foot in the door with a style the IOC wants, then maybe the other dances aren’t as far behind as we feared.

From Washington Post

A guard is manning the door, which is always kept ajar so she can be monitored.

From The Daily Beast

The kid from next door drops by and Marvin talks to him about the stunts in his latest film, Death Hunt.

From The Daily Beast

They eye the door anxiously, convinced that at any moment, a Pakistani or Iranian intelligence officer will come barging in.

From The Daily Beast

Gurley came out of stairwell door as the two cops approached.

From The Daily Beast

This courageous act earned him a late-night knock on the door with orders for Serna to vamos from Cuba.

From The Daily Beast

Before Ripperda could unclasp his lips to reply, the stranger had opened the door, and passed through it like a gliding shadow.

From Project Gutenberg

She looked so sweet when she said it, standing and smiling there in the middle of the floor, the door-way making a frame for her.

From Project Gutenberg

She walked away toward another door, which was masked with a curtain that she lifted.

From Project Gutenberg

Hilda, trembling at the door, more than half expected Mr. Orgreave to say: "You mean, she's invited herself."

From Project Gutenberg

Then the door opened, the portiere was swept aside, and Anselme announced "Monsieur de Garnache."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• exit
• gate