portal

¹ American  

[pawr-tl, pohr-] / ˈpɔr tl, ˈpoʊr- /

noun

1. a door, gate, or entrance, especially one of imposing appearance, as to a palace.

   Synonyms:

   threshold, entry, doorway, entranceway

2. an iron or steel bent for bracing a framed structure, having curved braces between the vertical members and a horizontal member at the top.

3. an entrance to a tunnel or mine.

4. Computers. a website that functions as an entry point to the internet, as by providing useful content and linking to various sites and features on the World Wide Web.

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portal ² American  

[pawr-tl, pohr-] / ˈpɔr tl, ˈpoʊr- /

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to the transverse fissure of the liver.

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noun

1. portal vein.

portal British  

/ ˈpɔːtəl /

noun

1. an entrance, gateway, or doorway, esp one that is large and impressive

2. any entrance or access to a place

3. computing an internet site providing links to other sites

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adjective

1. anatomy

   1. of or relating to a portal vein

      hepatic portal system

   2. of or relating to a porta

portal Cultural  

1. A Web site that provides a gateway to other Web sites.

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Other Word Forms

• portaled adjective
• portalled adjective

Etymology

Origin of portal¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English portale, from Medieval Latin, noun use of neuter of portālis “of a gate.” See portal ²

Origin of portal²

First recorded in 1605–15, portal is from the Medieval Latin word portālis of a gate. See port ⁴, -al ¹

Example Sentences

A makeshift window on the back wall opens onto what looks like a portal to outer space.

From Los Angeles Times

The online listing portal is now being pursued in a class action, launched by accountant Jeremy Newman on behalf of potentially hundreds of estate agents.

From BBC

Unfortunately, during battle, our magic tore a hole in reality, and we fell through a portal to Earth.

From Literature

At its center, the portal deepened to black, splintered by shocks of red lightning.

From Literature

Durham Police opened a portal - for people to report their concerns if they believe they are a victim of crime as a result of breast cancer treatment at the trust between 2023 and 2025.

From BBC