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Definition of "portent" [por•tent]

  • An indication of something important or calamitous about to occur; an omen. (noun)
  • Prophetic or threatening significance: signs full of portent. (noun)
  • Something amazing or marvelous; a prodigy. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "portent" in a sentence
  • "Is the new design a good portent from the new management team? blog comments powered by Disqus"
  • "The portent is described with great force and subtlety."
  • ""And who shall say," Abraham asked, looking from face to face, "that it's not a portent from the heavens that we shall find the Way of the Spices?"