# portman

/ˈpɔɹtmən/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/portman
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

a large suitcase that opens into two equal parts. It is an old-fashioned word for a bag used to carry clothes while traveling.

For teachers: a large, hinged suitcase that opens into two equal sections. Historically used for carrying apparel and personal effects during travel; now largely replaced by modern luggage terms.

## Examples

- He packed his suits into the heavy leather portman.
- The porter struggled to lift the brass-bound portman onto the luggage rack of the steam train.
- In Victorian literature, the portman often serves as a symbol of the traveler's social standing and the permanence of their journey across the continent.

## Usage notes

- Often used in historical or literary contexts; less common in modern travel descriptions.

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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.