1. As a Spanish/Portuguese Preposition: por
- Language: Spanish or Portuguese
- Meaning: “For,” “by,” “through,” “because of,” “per,” or “on behalf of.”
- Example: “Gracias por la ayuda” (“Thank you for the help”).
In bilingual dictionaries (like Merriam-Webster’s Spanish-English or Portuguese-English dictionary), you’ll usually find por defined with multiple possible translations due to its versatility.
2. As an Abbreviation for “Portugal”
- Usage: International sporting events, IOC country codes, or contexts where countries are abbreviated.
- Example: At the Olympics, Portugal’s team may be designated by POR.
3. As an Acronym/Abbreviation in English
Outside of Spanish or Portuguese usage, “POR” can stand for various terms depending on the field:
- Plan of Record
- Used in project management or corporate contexts to refer to the official, approved plan.
- Example: “The development team is still working toward the POR for our product release.”
- Price on Request
- Seen in sales listings (particularly real estate, art, or antiques) when a price is not published.
- Example: “This painting is marked POR—please contact the gallery for details.”
- Point of Reference
- Used academically or in documentation to indicate a reference point in a discussion.
- Example: “Use this figure as a POR for the rest of the experiment.”
- Proof of Receipt/Proof of Return
- Used in logistics or shipping to confirm receipt or return of a package.
- Example: “Please request a POR from the carrier to confirm delivery.”
- Portrait
- Sometimes abbreviated as “POR” in photography or digital layout contexts to indicate portrait orientation (as opposed to “LAN” for landscape, for instance).
- Example: “Set the document to POR orientation before printing.”
Where You’ll See “POR” in Dictionaries
- Typically list the Spanish/Portuguese preposition “por.”
- May note “Por.” as an abbreviation for “Portugal.”
- Other uses (Plan of Record, Price on Request, or Portrait orientation) are less likely to appear in standard dictionaries and are usually found in specialized glossaries, style guides, or industry references.
Summary
- Lowercase “por” is recognized as a Spanish or Portuguese preposition (“for,” “by,” etc.).
- Capitalized “POR” appears most often as the country abbreviation for Portugal in international sports. In specialized or professional settings, it can mean “Plan of Record,” “Price on Request,” “Proof of Receipt,” and—in some contexts—“Portrait” orientation (among other possibilities).
Each usage depends on the context or the industry in which the abbreviation appears.
