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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
Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 July 2025
One day later, a cache of unverified messages and photos purported to be sent by Horner was anonymously sent to prominent members of the F1 paddock and the international media.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 11 July 2025
This call was much more graphic than the first: The teen purported to be a man who had killed his wife and children.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2025
The information provided here is not legal advice and does not purport to be a substitute for advice of counsel on any specific matter.
—David Centeno, Forbes.com, 9 July 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 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
purport
1 of 2 noun
purport
2 of 2 verb
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