pore

¹ American  

[pawr, pohr] / pɔr, poʊr /

verb (used without object)

pored, poring

1. to read or study with steady attention or application.

   a scholar poring over a rare old manuscript.

2. to gaze earnestly or steadily.

   to pore over a painting.

3. to meditate or ponder intently (usually followed by over, on, orupon ).

   He pored over the strange events of the preceding evening.

   Synonyms:

   examine, peruse, scrutinize, ponder

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pore ² American  

[pawr, pohr] / pɔr, poʊr /

noun

1. a minute opening or orifice, as in the skin or a leaf, for perspiration, absorption, etc.

2. a minute interstice, as in a rock.

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pore ¹ British  

/ pɔː /

noun

1. anatomy zoology any small opening in the skin or outer surface of an animal

2. botany any small aperture, esp that of a stoma through which water vapour and gases pass

3. any other small hole, such as a space in a rock, soil, etc

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pore ² British  

/ pɔː /

verb

1. (foll by over) to make a close intent examination or study (of a book, map, etc)

   he pored over the documents for several hours

2. to think deeply (about)

   he pored on the question of their future

3. rare to look earnestly or intently (at); gaze fixedly (upon)

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pore Scientific  

/ pôr /

1. A tiny opening, as one in an animal's skin or on the surface of a plant leaf or stem, through which liquids or gases may pass.

2. A space in soil, rock, or loose sediment that is not occupied by mineral matter and allows the passage or absorption of fluids, such as water, petroleum, or air.

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Other Word Forms

• porelike
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of pore¹

1250–1300; Middle English pouren < ?

Origin of pore²

1350–1400; Middle English poore < Late Latin porus < Greek póros passage; see emporium, ford

Explanation

That trickle of sweat didn't just miraculously appear — it was secreted out of a pore, a really tiny opening on the surface of your skin. When used as a noun, pore means any tiny hole or opening that allows the passage of liquid. In humans, pores are the little holes that bring us such pleasures as armpit sweat and, when clogged, pimples. But when used as a verb, to pore means to concentrate your attention on or devote hours of focus to something: like poring over the overwhelming choices in the antiperspirant aisle.

Example Sentences

Investors have been eager to pore over the details, which will include financial statements, details of SpaceX’s various businesses—including the recently added xAI artificial-intelligence business—and the ownership structure.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

Darren England then had to pore over the most significant domestic VAR decision since its inception in 2019 before sending referee Chris Kavanagh to the screen.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

Surveillance software sprouted in every cranny of the ballpark, first in service of providing more data for teams and front offices to pore over, then as fuel for ever more esoteric betting propositions.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

As a result, friction is reduced and ions can pass through the pore more smoothly.

From Science Daily • Mar. 9, 2026

When we dutifully arrived with the papers, she would pore over them carefully, searching—“Okay... okay... here it is!”—grabbing the little form and filling it out.

From "The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother" by James McBride