Standard Lemma guide

porthouse

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A building that contains the offices of officials responsible for running a port, space for customs, etc.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • 1989, Orson Scott Card, Prentice Alvin http://books.google.com/books?ie=UTF-8&hl=en&vid=ISBN0812502124&id=u8x5Q2IHw_8C&pg=PA179&lpg=PA179&sig=frn2Tg8bgUQjDpkNJJxvJOcUm9c The river rat he fought was one of a gang of them lolling under the eaves of the porthouse, probably waiting for a gaming house to open.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The main cabin on the port side of a boat.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From port + house.