portable

American  

[pawr-tuh-buhl, pohr-] / ˈpɔr tə bəl, ˈpoʊr- /

adjective

1. capable of being transported or conveyed.

   a portable stage.

2. easily carried or conveyed by hand.

   I found a lightweight, portable propane stove for our trekking holiday.

3. Computers. (of data sets, software, etc.) capable of being used on different computer systems.

4. Obsolete. endurable.

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noun

1. something that is easily carried by hand, especially as distinguished from a counterpart that is harder or less convenient to move.

   Of their three television sets, one is a portable.

portable British  

/ ˈpɔːtəbəl /

adjective

1. able to be carried or moved easily, esp by hand

2. (of software, files, etc) able to be transferred from one type of computer system to another

3. archaic able to be endured; bearable

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noun

1. an article designed to be readily carried by hand, such as a television, typewriter, etc

Other Word Forms

• nonportable
  adjective
• portability
  noun
• portably
  adverb
• unportable
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of portable

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Late Latin portābilis; see port ⁵, -able

Explanation

If something's portable, you can easily take it with you . You may carry your portable computer with you from class to class because it's small, light, and fits easily in your backpack. First appearing around 1400, portable stems from the Latin word portare, meaning "to carry." Used as an adjective, portable describes something you can carry around easily. Used as a noun, it means a smaller, easy-to-carry version of something, like a computer or television. On a trip, you might take your portable so you can watch movies in the car. Before computers became popular, you might have carried around a lightweight typewriter called a portable.

Example Sentences

The completed system occupies just 0.4 square mm while maintaining high sensitivity and strong resistance to electrical noise, which is a major challenge for portable, low-cost electronics.

From Science Daily • May 26, 2026

Nicholson said incidents involving power banks were "certainly on the rise" as portable chargers grow in popularity, alongside vapes which are not allowed in checked luggage either.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

Ryanair says power banks are not allowed in checked baggage, cannot go in overhead compartments, and must not be used to charge or power other portable electronic devices during taxi, take-off or landing.

From BBC • May 24, 2026

WSJ | Buy Side: A great portable battery fits in your pocket and keeps your phone charged for days.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

She let her mind wander on briefly to other things, to a backpack and bedrolls, to a portable stove.

From "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt

Related Words

• compact
• convenient
• handy
• lightweight