Porthole vs. Portal — What's the Difference?

A porthole, sometimes called bull's-eye window or bull's-eye, is a generally circular window used on the hull of ships to admit light and air. Though the term is of maritime origin, it is also used to describe round windows on armored vehicles, aircraft, automobiles (the Ford Thunderbird a notable example) and even spacecraft.

A doorway, gate, or other entrance, especially a large and imposing one.

A small window on the outside of a ship or aircraft.

A website or web page providing access or links to other sites

An opening for firing a cannon through.

Relating to an opening in an organ through which major blood vessels pass, especially the transverse fissure of the liver.

(Nautical) A small, usually circular window in a ship's side.

A doorway, entrance, or gate, especially one that is large and imposing.

An opening in a fortified wall; an embrasure.

An entrance or a means of entrance

(archaic) A gunport; an opening in the hull of a ship through which cannon are fired.

The portal vein.

(nautical) A circular window set in the hull of a ship.

A website considered as an entry point to other websites, often by being or providing access to a search engine.

An embrasure in a ship's side. See 3d Port.

Of or relating to the portal vein or the portal system.

A window in a ship or airplane

Of or relating to a point of entrance to an organ, especially the transverse fissure of the liver, through which the blood vessels enter.

An opening (in a wall or ship or armored vehicle) for firing through

An entrance, entry point, or means of entry.

(Internet) A website or page that acts as an entrance to other websites or pages on the Internet.

(anatomy) A short vein that carries blood into the liver.

A magical or technological doorway leading to another location, period in time or dimension.

(architecture) A lesser gate, where there are two of different dimensions.

(architecture) Formerly, a small square corner in a room separated from the rest of an apartment by wainscoting, forming a short passage to another apartment.

A grandiose and often lavish entrance.

(bridge-building) The space, at one end, between opposite trusses when these are terminated by inclined braces.

A prayer book or breviary; a portass.

(anatomy) Of or relating to a porta, especially the porta of the liver.

To use a portal magical or technological doorway.

A door or gate; hence, a way of entrance or exit, especially one that is grand and imposing.

The lesser gate, where there are two of different dimensions.

The space, at one end, between opposite trusses when these are terminated by inclined braces.

A prayer book or breviary; a portass.

Of or pertaining to a porta, especially the porta of the liver; as, the portal vein, which enters the liver at the porta, and divides into capillaries after the manner of an artery.

A grand and imposing entrance (often extended metaphorically);

A site that the owner positions as an entrance to other sites on the internet;

A short vein that carries blood into the liver