porthole

[ pawrt-hohl, pohrt- ]

noun

1. a round, windowlike opening with a hinged, watertight glass cover in the side of a vessel for admitting air and light. Compare port ⁴( def 1 ).
2. an opening in a wall, door, etc., as one through which to shoot.

porthole

/ ˈpɔːtˌhəʊl /

noun

1. a small aperture in the side of a vessel to admit light and air, usually fitted with a watertight glass or metal cover, or both Sometimes shortened toport
2. an opening in a wall or parapet through which a gun can be fired; embrasure

Word History and Origins

Origin of porthole¹

First recorded in 1585–95; port ⁴ + hole

Example Sentences

Inside, the shelves are packed with thousands of items: from an upturned bathtub and dented porthole, to intricately etched glassware and tiny buttons.

From BBC

I tossed until dawn broke through the portholes.

From Literature

Tellingly, Johnson placed the Brick House’s only windows — three big mahogany-framed portholes — on the building’s back side, facing away from his glass retreat.

From New York Times

The base of the boat was painted a rich navy blue and there were little portholes and even a tiny anchor.

From Literature

Back then, it looked like something out of a science-fiction film: a futuristic tower composed of 140 detachable, single-resident capsules with porthole windows, like a pile of eyes fixed on the city.

From New York Times

Related Words

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