portico

[ pawr-ti-koh, pohr- ]

noun

, plural por·ti·coes, por·ti·cos.

1. a structure consisting of a roof supported by columns or piers, usually attached to a building as a porch.

portico

/ ˈpɔːtɪkəʊ /

noun

1. a covered entrance to a building; porch
2. a covered walkway in the form of a roof supported by columns or pillars, esp one built on to the exterior of a building

Word History and Origins

Origin of portico¹

1595–1605; < Italian < Latin porticus porch, portico. See port ⁴

Word History and Origins

Origin of portico¹

C17: via Italian from Latin porticus porch

Example Sentences

The administration invited dozens of influencers to the White House for this year’s State of the Union address, where they recorded selfies from the portico as the president’s motorcade came and went from the Capitol.

From Los Angeles Times

The building has the air of a train station, fronted by a white portico with graceful arches.

From Seattle Times

Behind the stately yellow portico of the colonial-era courthouse in Ho Chi Minh City, a 67-year-old property developer stands accused of looting one of Vietnam's largest banks over a period of 11 years.

From BBC

The collapsing dirt facsimile of the White House portico required nearly 6,000 pounds of earth and steel, a structural engineer and a forklift that transported the materials onto the terrace of the Whitney.

From New York Times

After her death in 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, mourners passed by her casket outside the building, on the portico at the top of the steps.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• atrium
• colonnade
• veranda