First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1portal
noun por·tal \ˈpȯr-təl\
: a large door or gate to a building (such as a church)
computers : a Web site that helps you find other sites
Full Definition of PORTAL
2
: the whole architectural composition surrounding and including the doorways and porches of a church
3
: the approach or entrance to a bridge or tunnel
4
: a communicating part or area of an organism; specifically : the point at which something (as a pathogen) enters the body
5
: a site serving as a guide or point of entry to the World Wide Web and usually including a search engine or a collection of links to other sites arranged especially by topic
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Origin of PORTAL
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin portale city gate, porch, from neuter of portalis of a gate, from Latin porta gate — more at port
Other Architecture Terms
2portal
adjective
Definition of PORTAL
1
: of or relating to the transverse fissure on the underside of the liver where most of the vessels enter
2
: of, relating to, or being a portal vein or a portal system <portal circulation>
Origin of PORTAL
New Latin porta transverse fissure of the liver, from Latin, gate
First Known Use: 1845
Portal
biographical name Por·tal \ˈpȯr-təl\
Definition of PORTAL
Charles Frederick Algernon 1893–1971 1st Viscount Portal of Hungerford British air marshal
PORTAL Defined for Kids
portal
noun por·tal \ˈpȯr-təl\
Definition of PORTAL for Kids
: a large or fancy door or gate
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