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

In the meantime, a metal gangway is being erected over the empty fountain for tourists to get a close view of the fountain’s sculpture Oceanus, the Titan God of Earth, depicted with galloping horses. —Barbie Latza Nadeau and Antonia Mortensen, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024

Sapelo Island's Gullah Geechee residents are feeling a wave of emotions a week after a gangway collapse during a community celebration left seven people dead. —Axios Atlanta, Axios, 28 Oct. 2024

Officer Fernando Ruiz, who followed Clay into the gangway, ordered him to drop the gun, and then opened fire. —Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 25 Oct. 2024

But the back of the living area gives way to a railing, a gangway, and stairs down to a dining area. —Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 24 Oct. 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!