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Porthole - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A porthole is a small, circular window on a ship or aircraft, designed to let in light and air while being strong enough to withstand pressure or rough conditions.

porthole

/ˈpɔrˌhoʊl/ /ˈpɔːthəʊl/

Definition:

A small, round window on a ship or aircraft for light and air.

Synonyms:

window, aperture, opening, hatch

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

wall, barrier

Common Collocations:

ship porthole, cabin porthole, open porthole, round porthole, glass porthole

Derivatives:

portholes (plural), portholed (adjective)

Usage Tips:

Use "porthole" to describe circular windows on ships or planes; avoid for buildings or cars.

Common Phrases:

look through the porthole, sealed porthole, porthole view

Etymology:

From "port" (ship's side) + "hole," first used in the 16th century for ship windows.

Examples:

  • 1. The sailor peered through the porthole at the ocean waves.
  • 2. The airplane's porthole offered a stunning view of the clouds below.
  • 3. She closed the porthole cover to block out the sunlight.
  • 4. The submarine's portholes were reinforced to withstand deep-sea pressure.

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