gangway

noun

gang·​way ˈgaŋ-ˌwā 

1

: passageway

especially : a temporary way of planks

2

a

: either of the sides of the upper deck of a ship

b

: the opening by which a ship is boarded

c

: gangplank

3

British : aisle

4

a

: a cross aisle dividing the front benches from the backbenches in the British House of Commons

b

: an aisle in the British House of Commons that separates government and opposition benches

5

: a clear passage through a crowd

—often used as an interjection

Examples of gangway in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The gangway was last inspected in December 2023 by Crescent Equipment Company, Georgia DNR officials said on Sunday afternoon. —Pilar Arias, Fox News, 21 Oct. 2024

These are connected by a gangway and one is empty, with the other including a bed, some cabinetry, and a TV. —Adam Williams, New Atlas, 11 Dec. 2024

Jones said a gangway at the dock collapsed, plunging people into the water. —Russ Bynum, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2024

On the banks of Courts 4, 5 and 6 the viewing gallery was full and the concrete gangways turned into viewing galleries, themselves as Evans and Khachanov forced each other into U.S. Open history. —Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 27 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "raised walkway on a ship," apparently from gang entry 1, in northern and Scots sense "passage" + way entry 1

Note: There is no continuity between this usage, first attested in 1688, and Old English gangweg, attested once.

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

gangway

noun

gang·​way ˈgaŋ-ˌwā 

1

: a passage into, through, or out of an enclosed place

2

: gangplank

3

: a clear passage through a crowd

—often used as an interjection

Gangway! Coming through!