porte-cochere

[ pawrt-koh-shair, -kuh-, pohrt- ]

/ ˌpɔrt koʊˈʃɛər, -kə-, ˌpoʊrt- /

a covered carriage entrance leading into a courtyard.

a porch at the door of a building for sheltering persons entering and leaving carriages.

Origin of porte-cochere

1690–1700; < French: gate for coaches

Next to this 'porte-cochere' was a small 'cafe', whose brilliant lights would cause him to be seen quite plainly.

Conscience, Complete |Hector Malot
Suddenly there was a movement under the porte-cochere of "the house," and a man ran through the street.

Conscience, Complete |Hector Malot
To-night at ten o'clock she will leave the porte-cochere unlatched.

El Dorado |Baroness Orczy
He never doubted that they were the keys he sought, one opening the stable door and the other the gates of the porte-cochere.

The Trampling of the Lilies |Rafael Sabatini

As they reached the porte-cochere she began to laugh airily, and spoke to the impassive man in livery who stood there.

Alice Adams |Booth Tarkington

porte-cochere

/ (ˌpɔːtkɒˈʃɛə) /

a large covered entrance for vehicles leading into a courtyard

a large roof projecting over a drive to shelter travellers entering or leaving vehicles

C17: from French: carriage entrance, from porte gateway + coche coach