door

American  

[dawr, dohr] / dɔr, doʊr /

noun

1. a movable, usually solid, barrier for opening and closing an entranceway, cupboard, cabinet, or the like, commonly turning on hinges or sliding in grooves.

2. a doorway.

   to go through the door.

3. the building, house, etc., to which a door belongs.

   My friend lives two doors down the street.

4. any means of approach, admittance, or access.

   the doors to learning.

5. any gateway marking an entrance or exit from one place or state to another.

   at heaven's door.

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idioms

1. lay at someone's door, to hold someone accountable for; blame; impute.

2. leave the door open, to allow the possibility of accommodation or change; be open to reconsideration.

   The boss rejected our idea but left the door open for discussing it again next year.

3. lie at someone's door, to be the responsibility of; be imputable to.

   One's mistakes often lie at one's own door.

4. show someone the door, to request or order someone to leave; dismiss.

   She resented his remark and showed him the door.

door British  

/ dɔː /

noun

1. 1. a hinged or sliding panel for closing the entrance to a room, cupboard, etc

   2. ( in combination )

      doorbell

      doorknob

2. a doorway or entrance to a room or building

3. a means of access or escape

   a door to success

4. informal sport at an early stage

5. to lay (the blame or responsibility) on someone

6. in or into the open air

7. to order someone to leave

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door More Idioms  

1. see at death's door; at one's door; back door; beat a path to someone's door; behind closed doors; close the door on; darken one's door; foot in the door; keep the wolf from the door; lay at someone's door; leave the door open; lock the barn door; next door to; open doors; open the door to; see someone out (to the door); show someone out (to the door); show someone the door.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• doorless
  adjective
• half-door
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of door

First recorded before 900; Middle English dore, Old English duru “door,” dor “gate”; akin to German Tür, Old Norse dyrr, Greek thýra, Latin foris, Old Irish dorus, Old Chursh Slavonic dvĭrĭ

Explanation

A door is a moving structure that when closed acts as a barrier to a room, house, building, or car. You'll have to open the door to let your dog come inside. Buildings have doors, and so do most vehicles. You might also have a special little door built into your own back door for your cat. Doors act as security, as they can be closed and locked, and also as ventilation when you open the door to let the spring air in. Being "out of doors" means you're outside, beyond all the doors of your house or building.

Example Sentences

"If I tried to sleep in the toilets, the staff would come banging on the door, telling me to get out. It was hard."

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

If the findings translate to humans, they could open the door to new therapies that target bile acid signaling or use beneficial microbes to reduce the cardiovascular risks associated with sleep apnea.

From Science Daily • Jun. 9, 2026

What looked like a jumbo Parmesan wheel resting on a marble slab by the door of the Moroccan-style hammam was actually a block of shea-butter soap.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

To notice the little things lingering in the refrigerator door.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

I get up and walk toward the door.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

Related Words

• exit
• gate