noun
portico
POR-ti-koh
Portico (noun) means a roofed structure supported by columns, forming a porch at the entrance of a building. Example: “The museum's grand portico is held up by eight marble columns.”
noun
1
A roofed structure supported by columns, forming a porch at the entrance of a building.
"The museum's grand portico is held up by eight marble columns."
"They sheltered from the rain under the portico."
"The long-closed G.W.R. station alongside has a decidedly derelict-looking frontage, with eight gargoyles or figureheads still clinging to the portico."
— R. A. H. Weight, A Railway Recorder in Wessex (1952)
How to use portico
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA covered entrance with columns holding up the roof.
When to use it
An architectural term, standard in descriptions of classical and neoclassical buildings.
Memory tip
A portico is attached to an entrance; a colonnade is a row of columns that may run along a whole facade or stand on its own.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
grand portico
columned portico
Corinthian portico
under the portico
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Fill the gap
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The museum's grand _____ is held up by eight marble columns.
Etymology
From Italian portico, from Latin porticus, "covered walk, porch", related to porta, "gate, door".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for portico
See all rhymes for portico →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a portico and a porch?
A porch is any covered area at a door, in any style. A portico is specifically a porch whose roof is carried on columns, in the classical manner. Every portico is a porch, but most porches are not porticos.
What is the difference between a portico and a colonnade?
A portico is a columned entrance porch with a roof and usually a pediment above it. A colonnade is simply a long row of columns supporting a roof or arches, often running along the side of a building or around a courtyard.
What is the plural of portico?
Both porticoes and porticos are accepted. Porticoes is the more traditional form and is the one most often seen in architectural writing.
What is the meaning of portico?
"portico" (noun) means a roofed structure supported by columns, forming a porch at the entrance of a building.
