porch
UK: pɔːtʃ | US: pɔːrtʃ
n. a covered shelter projecting in front of the entrance of a building
n. an open or enclosed gallery or room attached to the outside of a building
The word "porch" traces back to Old French "porche," from Latin "porticus" (colonnade, arcade), derived from "porta" (gate). While the modern spelling doesn’t neatly split into morphemes, the Latin root implies a "forward-facing structure" (related to gates or entrances). Over time, it narrowed to mean a sheltered entranceway in English.
She sat on the porch, sipping tea and watching the sunset.
The old house had a wraparound porch with wooden rocking chairs.
They decorated the porch with string lights for the summer party.
Rain dripped from the roof of the porch onto the welcome mat.
The cat napped lazily on the sunny corner of the porch.