porte-cochere Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a carriage entrance passing through a building to an enclosed courtyard
  2. noun canopy extending out from a building entrance to shelter those getting in and out of vehicles

WordNet

Porte"-co`chère" noun (Also<
  • Porte-cochere
  • Porte-cochère
)
Etymology
F. See Port a gate, and Coach.
Definitions
  1. (Arch.) A large doorway allowing vehicles to drive into or through a building. It is common to have the entrance door open upon the passage of the porte-cochère. Also, a porch over a driveway before an entrance door.

Webster 1913