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The Latin verb portare, meaning “to carry,” was the port of entry for many an English word, from the noun portfolio to familiar verbs report, support, and transport. (The port a ship uses comes from a different Latin source: portus, meaning “port.”) Purport too ultimately comes from portare, although its direct ancestor is the Anglo-French verb purporter, meaning “to carry” or “to mean.” Today, purport is typically used when someone or something makes a claim that may or may not be true; something purported to be a fact is not at all a sure thing. The skepticism that modern purporting generally requires wasn’t present in the original verb, however. In the late 17th century, a purported claim was assumed as true as any. And three centuries before that, to purport a message, idea, etc., was simply to convey it. Purport can also function as a noun with a meaning closely related to the older verb one: it can refer to the main or general meaning conveyed in a piece of writing, in someone’s actions, etc., as in “the purport of the visit” or “the essay’s purport.”
Examples of purport in a Sentence
Michael Platner, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Harvard and other elite universities have also clashed with Trump over his demands for crackdowns on student protests, including pro-Palestinian demonstrations and purported antisemitism.
—Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
The episode cited unnamed sources close to the investigation and included unreleased surveillance camera footage from a neighboring home, as well as a variety of data purported to be directly from Kohberger’s cellphone, such as Google searches, photos and call logs.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 22 May 2025
Canada’s purported inclusion in Golden Dome comes as trade and security negotiations between Ottawa and Washington have been rocky, with Trump threatening steep tariffs on its northern neighbor.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for purport
Cite this Entry
“Purport.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purport. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
purport
1 of 2 noun
purport
2 of 2 verb
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