A verandah or veranda is a roofed opened gallery or porch. It is also described as an open pillared gallery, generally roofed, built around a central structure. It is often partly enclosed by a railing and frequently extends across the front and sides of the structure. History of term According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word verandah originated in India where it's found in several native languages. However, it may have been an adaptation of the Portuguese or older Spanish varanda (b… (More on Verandah)