pore

1 of 2

verb

ˈpȯr 

pored; poring

intransitive verb

1

: to gaze intently

2

: to read or study attentively

—usually used with over

3

: to reflect or meditate steadily

pore

2 of 2

noun

1

: a minute opening especially in an animal or plant

especially : one by which matter passes through a membrane

2

: a small interstice (as in soil) admitting absorption or passage of liquid

pored

ˈpȯrd 

adjective

Synonyms

Verb

• chew over
• cogitate
• consider
• contemplate
• debate
• deliberate
• entertain
• eye
• kick around
• meditate
• mull (over)
• perpend
• ponder
• question
• revolve
• ruminate
• study
• think (about or over)
• turn
• weigh
• wrestle (with)

Examples of pore in a Sentence

Verb

the committee will probably pore over the results of the study for a long time before making their decision

he pored over the textbook for hours in preparation for the test

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Journalists, investigators and true-crime obsessives are now poring through the 26-year-old University of Pennsylvania grad's extensive and eclectic online history, and coming to very different conclusions. —Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 12 Dec. 2024

Instead of spending hours poring through data and websites, agents will bring the right information directly to users, cutting down on inefficiencies. —Lora Kratchounova, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024

Noun

These blend to restore and repair the skin barrier to promote improved radiance, refined pores, and smoother skin. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2024

Finally, the resultant structure was coated in potassium hydroxide, which washes away less stable structures and leaves behind thousands of microscopic pores. —Michael Franco, New Atlas, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English pouren

Noun

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin porus, from Greek poros passage, pore — more at fare

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pore

• pore fungus
• pore over

Kids Definition

pore

1 of 2 verb

ˈpō(ə)r 

ˈpȯ(ə)r

pored; poring

: to read with great attention : study

pore over a book

pore

2 of 2 noun

: a tiny opening or space (as in the skin or the soil)

pored

ˈpō(ə)rd

ˈpȯ(ə)rd

adjective

Medical Definition

pore

noun

ˈpō(ə)r, ˈpȯ(ə)r 

: a minute opening especially in an animal or plant

especially : one by which matter passes through a membrane