Definition of: porte-co-chere

(pôrt′kō·shâr′, pōrt′-; Fr. pôrt· kô·shâr′) noun
1. A large gateway for vehicles, leading into a courtyard.
2. A porch at the door of a building for sheltering persons entering or leaving carriages. [<F <porte a gate (<L porta) + cochère, fem. adjective < coche a coach]