doorplate

American  

[dawr-pleyt, dohr-] / ˈdɔrˌpleɪt, ˈdoʊr- /

noun

1. a small identification plate on the outside door of a house or room, bearing the occupant's name, the apartment or house number, or the like.

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Etymology

Origin of doorplate

First recorded in 1815–25; door + plate ¹

Example Sentences

“A handwritten sign on a wall, a name on a doorplate, a flyer on a telephone pole, or an unusual magazine at a newsstand would spin me toward a story.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

The house was old, but not out of date, and quite imposing; and the big doorplate, with "Nicoll" on it, stamped it as undeniably aristocratic, Miss Lily thought.

From A Little Girl of Long Ago by Douglas, Amanda Minnie

The newly painted door was bright with love; the polished doorplate and bell handle glistened with love.

From Round the Block by Bouton, John Bell

To step softly into the side orchard on pleasant evenings, and without a word, before or afterwards, to lay a nosegay on Martha's little white doorplate.

From Timothy's Quest A Story for Anybody, Young or Old, Who Cares to Read It by Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith

The name on the doorplate of his house was Daniel Preston, for he had chosen a family name to suit himself—a privilege allotted to only a few.

From Watch and Wait or The Young Fugitives by Optic, Oliver