poured; pouring; pours
1
a
: to cause to flow in a stream
b
: to dispense from a container
poured drinks for everyone
2
: to supply or produce freely or copiously
poured money into the project
3
: to give full expression to : vent
poured out his feelings
1
: to move with a continuous flow
2
: to rain hard
3
: to move or come continuously : stream
complaints poured in
4
: to score easily or freely (as in basketball)
—used with in
poured in 30 points
Synonyms
Examples of pour in a Sentence
Verb
He carefully poured the water into her glass.
Pour the sauce over the pasta.
She poured salt into the palm of her hand and then sprinkled it over the stew.
The smokestacks poured out thick clouds of black smoke.
The burst pipe poured out water.
The concrete foundation has been poured.
Can I pour you some lemonade?
Smoke poured out from the chimney.
Sweat was pouring from her brow.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2023
Beyond the portico entry, the double-height foyer’s grand staircase and inlaid marble floor are bathed in light that pours through a massive skylight.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 7 Sep. 2023
For the smoothest top, pour the warm glaze over the chilled cake and gently spread it with a spatula.
12
Bourbon-Chocolate Cake with Browned Buttercream Frosting
A splash of bourbon makes classic chocolate cake even richer.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2023
More than $40,000 poured in, including many $5 and $10 donations.
—Sydney Page, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2023
Higher energy costs would hardly be welcome for the U.S. economy: Consumers pouring their money into the gasoline tank instead of other things makes a soft landing harder to achieve.
—WSJ, 6 Sep. 2023
Shake well and pour contents into a salt-rimmed glass.
—Sam Burros, Peoplemag, 4 Sep. 2023
The National Institutes of Health, NASA and Department of Defense are among the agencies pouring money into SDSU, sometimes for truly futuristic projects.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Aug. 2023
Made up of two parts Aperol — a bitter whose core ingredients are gentian, rhubarb and cinchona — three parts prosecco and a dash of sparkling water, poured over a glass of ice and topped with an orange slice, the drink is viewed by devotees as the ideal antidote to sweltering weather.
—Kostiantyn Khudov, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2023
Tori Latham, Robb Report, 31 Aug. 2023
The pan is designed with an ergonomic handle for a comfortable hold, high ridges for satisfying sear marks and a pour spout.
—Ellen McAlpine, Good Housekeeping, 3 Aug. 2023
Aside from the neat pours, there were a variety of summery drinks being served at this year’s Ardbeg Day, all made with Heavy Vapours and other super smoky whiskies.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 31 July 2023
Cold-brew coffee infused with nitrogen gas creates frothy-like microbubbles for a smooth pour.
—Kevin Cortez, Popular Mechanics, 7 July 2023
In addition to the heavy pours of olive oil, Symon adds black garlic, tomato paste and ketchup.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2023
The bar's smoky atmosphere, convivial bartenders, and heavy pours only further make the case for it as a legendary dive.
—Maddy Zollo Rusbosin, Southern Living, 18 July 2023
Friendly and attentive bar staff can also direct you to an expansive list of wine, champagne and single malts available by individual pour.
—Brad Japhe, Forbes, 16 July 2023
Ellen Bhang Two of the summer’s most invigorating pours are waiting for you in the Greek section of your neighborhood wine shop.
—Ellen Bhang, BostonGlobe.com, 11 July 2023
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Verb
Sometimes, entire bottles are poured down drains, one right after the other, and create a sort of artistic appearance before they get scrubbed and flushed or rinsed away.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2023
Beyond the portico entry, the double-height foyer’s grand staircase and inlaid marble floor are bathed in light that pours through a massive skylight.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 7 Sep. 2023
For the smoothest top, pour the warm glaze over the chilled cake and gently spread it with a spatula.
12
Bourbon-Chocolate Cake with Browned Buttercream Frosting
A splash of bourbon makes classic chocolate cake even richer.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2023
More than $40,000 poured in, including many $5 and $10 donations.
—Sydney Page, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2023
Higher energy costs would hardly be welcome for the U.S. economy: Consumers pouring their money into the gasoline tank instead of other things makes a soft landing harder to achieve.
—WSJ, 6 Sep. 2023
Shake well and pour contents into a salt-rimmed glass.
—Sam Burros, Peoplemag, 4 Sep. 2023
The National Institutes of Health, NASA and Department of Defense are among the agencies pouring money into SDSU, sometimes for truly futuristic projects.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Aug. 2023
Made up of two parts Aperol — a bitter whose core ingredients are gentian, rhubarb and cinchona — three parts prosecco and a dash of sparkling water, poured over a glass of ice and topped with an orange slice, the drink is viewed by devotees as the ideal antidote to sweltering weather.
—Kostiantyn Khudov, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2023
Noun
And now the esteemed company is bringing its pours to Downtown Napa.
Arch & Tower, a new experience by Robert Mondavi, opened earlier this month, with oenophiles able to indulge in tastings paired with bites that highlight the best of Northern California’s local produce.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 31 Aug. 2023
The pan is designed with an ergonomic handle for a comfortable hold, high ridges for satisfying sear marks and a pour spout.
—Ellen McAlpine, Good Housekeeping, 3 Aug. 2023
Aside from the neat pours, there were a variety of summery drinks being served at this year’s Ardbeg Day, all made with Heavy Vapours and other super smoky whiskies.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 31 July 2023
Cold-brew coffee infused with nitrogen gas creates frothy-like microbubbles for a smooth pour.
—Kevin Cortez, Popular Mechanics, 7 July 2023
In addition to the heavy pours of olive oil, Symon adds black garlic, tomato paste and ketchup.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2023
The bar's smoky atmosphere, convivial bartenders, and heavy pours only further make the case for it as a legendary dive.
—Maddy Zollo Rusbosin, Southern Living, 18 July 2023
Friendly and attentive bar staff can also direct you to an expansive list of wine, champagne and single malts available by individual pour.
—Brad Japhe, Forbes, 16 July 2023
Ellen Bhang Two of the summer’s most invigorating pours are waiting for you in the Greek section of your neighborhood wine shop.
—Ellen Bhang, BostonGlobe.com, 11 July 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pour.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun
1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of pour was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing pour
Dictionary Entries Near pour
Cite this Entry
“Pour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pour. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
pour
verbˈpō(ə)r,
ˈpȯ(ə)r
1
: to flow or to cause to flow in a stream
pour the tea
tears pouring down their cheeks
2
: to let loose something without restraint
poured out my troubles to anyone who would listen
3
: to rain very hard
pourer
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on pour
Nglish: Translation of pour for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of pour for Arabic Speakers
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