# Portland

/ˈpɔɹtɫənd/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/portland
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. city in Oregon

noun · CEFR B1

the largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon, known for its parks and culture.

For teachers: the most populous city in Oregon, United States, situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers.

- We spent the weekend exploring the famous rose gardens in Portland.
- Portland has gained international recognition for its progressive urban planning and its commitment to maintaining extensive green spaces within the city limits.

### 2. city in Maine

noun · CEFR B1

a historic coastal city and the largest city in the U.S. state of Maine.

For teachers: the largest city in the U.S. state of Maine, serving as a major port and regional economic hub on the Atlantic coast.

- The old port district in Portland is famous for its excellent seafood restaurants.
- As a significant maritime gateway, Portland played a crucial role in the nineteenth-century transatlantic trade routes between North America and Europe.

### 3. Isle of Portland

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a small island in Dorset, England, famous for its white stone used in buildings.

For teachers: a tied island on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, England, renowned for its limestone quarries.

- St Paul's Cathedral in London was built using stone from Portland.
- The distinctive white limestone quarried on the Isle of Portland has been a preferred building material for British monumental architecture for centuries.

## Examples

- We are planning a trip to Portland this summer.
- The ship docked in Portland to unload its cargo before continuing down the coast.
- While Portland, Oregon, is famous for its progressive urban planning and coffee culture, its namesake in Maine remains a quintessential New England fishing hub.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.