: a curtain hanging across a doorway

Word History

Etymology

French portière, from Old French, feminine of portier, porter porter, doorkeeper

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of portiere was in 1638

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Portiere.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/portiere. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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