Did you know?
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.”
Synonyms
Examples of purport in a Sentence
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Among the false posts was a video purporting to show Trump ballots being destroyed in Pennsylvania, and another claiming to show non-citizens bragging about voting in Georgia.
—Barbara McQuade, TIME, 6 Nov. 2024
Other groups have attempted a similar playbook during this election: text messages seemingly from pro-Harris organizations, purporting to describe a Harris agenda but pushing divisive, misleading, or even false messaging.
—Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 5 Nov. 2024
On Friday, the intelligence community said a video circulating in Georgia purporting to depict voter fraud was linked to Russia.
—Sam Sabin, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for purport 
Dictionary Entries Near purport
Cite this Entry
“Purport.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purport. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
purport
1 of 2 noun
purport
2 of 2 verb
Share