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pour

v. · n.
US //ˈpɔɹ// UK //pˈɔː// pour
  1. 1 to flow from a container (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to make a liquid flow out of a container and into something else.

    to cause a liquid or a substance consisting of small particles to flow in a continuous stream from a container.

    Example

    He poured some cold water into a glass for his guest.

    Example

    The waiter carefully poured the vintage wine into the decanter, ensuring that no sediment disturbed the clarity of the liquid.

    Usage

    Transitive; usually takes a preposition like 'into', 'out of', or 'over'.
    Pitfall
    She poured the cup with tea.
    She poured tea into the cup.

    You pour the liquid (the substance), not the container itself.

  2. 2 to rain heavily (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to rain very hard for a long time.

    to rain heavily and continuously; often used in the impersonal 'it' construction.

    Example

    We couldn't go for a walk because it started to pour with rain.

    Example

    It has been pouring since dawn, turning the garden paths into small streams and forcing the cancellation of the outdoor festival.

    Usage

    Often used as an impersonal verb: 'It is pouring'.
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  1. 3 to move in a crowd (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    when a large number of people move quickly in one direction.

    to move or proceed in large numbers or a continuous stream.

    Example

    Thousands of fans poured out of the stadium after the game ended.

    Example

    As soon as the doors opened, the crowd poured into the hall, eager to secure the best seats for the keynote speech.

    Usage

    Intransitive; often followed by a directional preposition.
  2. 4 to express feelings (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to talk a lot about your feelings or secrets to someone.

    to express one's emotions or thoughts freely and at length, typically in the phrasal verb 'pour out'.

    Example

    She poured out her heart to her best friend after the breakup.

    Example

    In his final letter, he poured out his frustrations regarding the project's failure and his lack of support from the board.

    Usage

    Commonly used as 'pour out one's heart' or 'pour out one's feelings'.
  3. 5 an amount poured (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    the act of pouring a drink, or the amount that is poured.

    the act of pouring a liquid, or a specific serving of a beverage.

    Example

    The bartender gave him a very generous pour of whiskey.

    Example

    The sommelier noted that a standard pour for the tasting menu would be exactly three ounces per glass.
Origin

From Middle English pouren (“to pour”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Old Northern French purer (“to sift (grain), pour out (water)”), from Latin pūrō (“to purify”), from pūrus (“pure”). Compare Middle Dutch afpuren (“to pour off, drain”). To pour displaced several Middle English verbs: schenchen, schenken (“to pour”), from Old English sċenċan (“to pour out”) and Old Norse skenkja, from Proto-Germanic skankijaną. Compare dialectal English shink, skink. yeten, from Old English ġēotan (“to pour”), from Proto-Germanic geutaną. * birlen (“to pour, serve drink to”), from Old English byrelian (“to pour, serve drink to”). * hellen (“to pour, pour out”), from Old Norse hella (“to pour out, incline”). * temen (“to pour out, empty”), from Old Norse tœma (“to pour out, empty”). Compare archaic English teem.

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