noun Common

portal

PAWTL

Portal (noun) means a grand or notable entrance or doorway. Example: “The cathedral's portal was covered in carved stone figures.”

noun

A grand or notable entrance or doorway.

"The cathedral's portal was covered in carved stone figures."

A website that serves as a gateway to other online resources, services, or accounts.

"Log into the student portal to check your grades."

In fiction, a magical or futuristic opening that instantly connects two distant places or times.

"The wizard opened a portal to another realm."

How to use portal

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA grand entrance, an online gateway site, or (in fiction) a magical doorway between places.

Common pairings

online portal customer portal open a portal

Word forms

portaled past tense, portalled past tense, portals plural, portals singular

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The cathedral's _____ was covered in carved stone figures.

Etymology

From Old French portal and Medieval Latin portale, from Latin porta ("gate, door").

Origin: Medieval Latin

Synonyms

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gateway entrance doorway gate entryway opening

Related words

first man chance door access beginning opening opportunity

Rhymes for portal

mortal immortal

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Frequently asked questions

What does “portal” mean?

The word “portal” means a grand or notable entrance or doorway. In plain terms, a grand entrance, an online gateway site, or (in fiction) a magical doorway between places.

How do you pronounce “portal”?

“Portal” is pronounced PAWTL (/ˈpɔːɹtl̩/ in IPA).

How do you use “portal” in a sentence?

Here is “portal” used in a sentence: “The cathedral's portal was covered in carved stone figures.”

What part of speech is “portal”?

“Portal” is a noun.

Where does the word “portal” come from?

The word “portal” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French portal and Medieval Latin portale, from Latin porta ("gate, door").

Is “portal” a common word?

“Portal” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “portal” have?

“Portal” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a grand or notable entrance or doorway.

What is the difference between a "portal" and an ordinary "door" or "doorway"?

A portal is a grand or notable entrance, so the word carries more weight than plain "door" or "doorway". It is the natural choice for the imposing entrance of a cathedral or castle, and it sounds formal or literary if used for everyday doors.

What is a portal in fantasy and science fiction?

In fiction, a portal is a magical or futuristic opening that instantly connects two distant places or times. Characters step through a portal to cross between worlds in an instant — a device so common that stories built around it are often called "portal fantasy".

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