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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:

The building featured a dramatic porte-cochere fashioned of parabolic curves over the driveway entrance, and the sign out front had a star instead of a dot over the letter “i” in its name.

From New York Times ● Nov. 14, 2022

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

From Washington Post ● Nov. 9, 2021

The front of the property features a gated motor court and porte-cochere entry, and the backyard holds a swimming pool and hot tub.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2021

Exterior porte-cochere, tile roof, verandahs, iron fencing; carriage house with two bedrooms and bath.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 4, 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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