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porte-cochere

American  
[pawrt-koh-shair, -kuh-, pohrt-] / ˌpɔrt koʊˈʃɛər, -kə-, ˌpoʊrt- /
Or porte-cochère

noun

  1. (in historical use) a covered carriage entrance leading into a courtyard.

  2. a porch or covered area at the door of a building for sheltering persons entering and leaving vehicles.

    a porte-cochere for protection in wet weather.


porte-cochere British  
/ ˌpɔːtkɒˈʃɛə /

noun

  1. a large covered entrance for vehicles leading into a courtyard

  2. a large roof projecting over a drive to shelter travellers entering or leaving vehicles

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of porte-cochere

First recorded in 1690–1700; French: literally, “gate for coaches”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

A porte-cochere extends from the entrance to the house.

From Washington Post Nov. 9, 2021

Except for a porte-cochere, Kilkare survived unscathed the 1938 hurricane that demolished numerous structures in the area.

From New York Times Aug. 7, 2017

The hotel, with 420 guest rooms, will also have bronze statues of Mickey and Minnie Mouse in the porte-cochere.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 10, 2015

The 8,112-square-foot mansion includes a mosaic-tile front porch, hardwood floors, numerous fireplaces, stained-glass windows, a ballroom and a porte-cochere.

From Washington Times Jan. 15, 2015

It wasn’t advisable to be late, if and when Dad finally came rolling up to the porte-cochere.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

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