# stoop

/ˈstup/ (US) · /stˈuːp/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stoop
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a small porch or a set of steps at the front door of a house. It is a common place for people to sit and talk with neighbors.

For teachers: a small porch, platform, or set of stairs at the entrance of a building. Common in North American urban architecture, particularly in New York City.

## Examples

- We sat on the stoop and watched the cars go by.
- In many Brooklyn neighborhoods, residents spend summer evenings sitting on the stoop to catch a breeze and chat.
- The brownstone's high stone stoop served as a social hub for the building, bridging the private interior of the home with the public life of the sidewalk.

## Usage notes

- Primarily used in North American English; often refers specifically to the entrance of a townhouse or brownstone.

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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.