porter
1 of 3noun (1)
por·ter ˈpȯr-tər 
plural porters
chiefly British
: a person stationed at a door or gate to admit or assist those entering
porter
2 of 3noun (2)
plural porters
1
: a person who carries burdens
especially : one employed to carry baggage for patrons at a hotel or transportation terminal
2
: a parlor-car or sleeping-car attendant who waits on passengers and makes up berths
3
[short for porter's beer] : a heavy dark brown ale typically brewed from browned or charred malt
4
: a person who does routine cleaning (as in a hospital or office)
porter
3 of 3verb
portered; portering; porters
transitive verb
: to transport or carry as or as if by a porter
intransitive verb
: to act as a porter
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- doorkeeper
- doorman
- gatekeeper
- janitor
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin portarius, from Latin porta gate — more at port
Noun (2)
Middle English portour, from Anglo-French porteour, from Late Latin portator, from Latin portare to carry — more at fare
First Known Use
Noun (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1609, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Phrases Containing porter
Kids Definition
porter
noun
por·ter ˈpȯr-tər
1
: a person whose job is to carry baggage (as at a hotel)
2
: a person whose job is helping passengers on a train
Biographical Definition
Porter 1 of 7
biographical name (1)
Por·ter ˈpȯr-tər
Cole Albert 1891–1964 American songwriter
Porter
2 of 7biographical name (2)
David 1780–1843 and his son David Dixon 1813–1891 American naval officers
Porter
3 of 7biographical name (3)
Eliot Furness 1901–1990 American photographer
Porter
4 of 7biographical name (4)
Gene 1868–1924 née Stratton American novelist
Porter
5 of 7biographical name (5)
Katherine Anne 1890–1980 American writer
Porter
6 of 7biographical name (6)
Noah 1811–1892 American philosopher and lexicographer
Porter
7 of 7biographical name (7)
William Sydney 1862–1910 pseudonym O. Henry (ˈ)ō-ˈhen-rē American short-story writer
American short-story writer porters
noun
as in janitors
a person who tends a door he generously tipped the porter for hailing a taxi Synonyms & Similar Words
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- janitors
- doorkeepers
- doormen
- gatekeepers
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