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

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

Rachel Kuzma Upstairs, off the gangway addition, there are two private roof patios. —Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 8 Aug. 2024

The gangway connected an outer dock where people board the ferry to another dock onshore. —CBS News, 20 Oct. 2024

The gangway collapsed Saturday as festival goers prepared to board a ferry amid Sapelo Island's annual Cultural Day, officials say. —John Deem, USA TODAY, 20 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!