stowaway

1 of 2

noun

stow·​away ˈstō-ə-ˌwā How to pronounce stowaway (audio)
: one that stows away

stow away

2 of 2

verb

stowed away; stowing away; stows away

intransitive verb

: to secrete oneself aboard a vehicle as a means of obtaining transportation

Examples of stowaway in a Sentence

Noun A stowaway was discovered on the ship.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Since 1947, there have been many stowaways who have hidden in the wheel wells of airplanes. Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025 The authorities did not release the identity of the stowaway. Hank Sanders, New York Times, 28 Dec. 2024
Verb
The cause was soon discovered: a young American named Arthur Schreiber had stowed away on board. Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025 Dali — a Russian national woman who was arrested by the FBI after stowing away on that Delta international flight — was arrested again on Dec. 15, ABC News reported, this time for allegedly cutting off her ankle bracelet and trying to sneak into Canada on a Greyhound bus. Dave Quinn, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stowaway 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1848, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stowaway was in 1848

Dictionary Entries Near stowaway

stowage

stowaway

stow away

Cite this Entry

“Stowaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stowaway. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

stowaway

1 of 2 noun
stow·​away ˈstō-ə-ˌwā How to pronounce stowaway (audio)
: one who stows away : an unregistered passenger

stow away

2 of 2 verb
ˌstō-ə-ˈwā
: to hide aboard a vehicle to obtain transportation

More from Merriam-Webster on stowaway

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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