Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person employed to guard or monitor the entrance of a building, such as a hotel or apartment block: A hall porter is responsible for controlling access, providing security, and often assisting residents or guests with tasks like carrying luggage or receiving deliveries.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The hall porter greeted us warmly and helped with our bags.
  • Please leave your key with the hall porter if you are going out late.
  • The hall porter's primary duty is to ensure only authorized individuals enter the building.

Advanced Usage

• "to act as hall porter": to temporarily perform the duties of a hall porter.
  • During the staff shortage, the concierge had to act as hall porter as well.

Variants and Related Words

• Doorman (n): A person, especially one in uniform, who is stationed at the entrance to a building to provide security and assistance. This is a common synonym.
• Concierge (n): An employee in a hotel or apartment building who assists guests/residents by making arrangements, providing information, and often supervising services like the hall porter.
• Gatekeeper (n): A person who controls access to a place or resource. This is a more general term.

Synonyms

• Doorkeeper: A person who guards a door or entrance.
• Commissionaire: (Chiefly British) A uniformed attendant at the entrance of a hotel, theater, or office building.

Related Phrases

• At the porter's desk: Located at or managed from the hall porter's station.
  • You can collect your parcels at the porter's desk.

Related Idioms

• To hold the fort: To be in charge or responsible for a place temporarily. While not exclusive, a hall porter might be said to "hold the fort" at the entrance.
  • While the manager is away, the senior hall porter will hold the fort.

Noun

1. someone who guards an entrance