noun
Portman
Portman (noun) means Historically, a burgess or official of a port town, especially one of England's Cinque Ports. Example: “The portman oversaw trade disputes in the harbor town.”
noun
1
Historically, a burgess or official of a port town, especially one of England's Cinque Ports.
"The portman oversaw trade disputes in the harbor town."
2
A surname, originally describing someone's occupation.
"The actress Natalie Portman shares the name's root, though spelled differently."
How to use Portman
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old term for a port official, now mainly seen as a surname.
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Word forms
- Plural
- portmen
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ oversaw trade disputes in the harbor town.
Etymology
From "port" plus "man" — originally an occupational name for an official of a port town.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Portman” mean?
The word “Portman” means historically, a burgess or official of a port town, especially one of England's Cinque Ports. In plain terms, an old term for a port official, now mainly seen as a surname.
How do you use “Portman” in a sentence?
Here is “Portman” used in a sentence: “The portman oversaw trade disputes in the harbor town.”
What part of speech is “Portman”?
“Portman” is a noun.
How many meanings does “Portman” have?
“Portman” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: historically, a burgess or official of a port town, especially one of England's Cinque Ports.
