This essay serves to explain in some detail the definition of scholarship that the editorial board of portal: Libraries and the Academy applies when evaluating articles and assessing whether they are worthy of publication in our pages. It should be read in the larger context of the mission and purpose of portal that is defined in our front matter. I want to thank the board for its comments and formal adoption of this statement at our meeting during the 2004 annual conference of the American Library Association. At the same time, any failings of this essay are my own.