stowaway

[ stoh-uh-wey ]

noun

1. a person who hides aboard a ship or airplane in order to obtain free transportation or elude pursuers.

stowaway

/ ˈstəʊəˌweɪ /

noun

1. a person who hides aboard a vehicle, ship, or aircraft in order to gain free passage

verb

1. intr, adverb to travel in such a way

Word History and Origins

Origin of stowaway¹

First recorded in 1850–55; noun use of verb phrase stow away

Example Sentences

It has not been easy to forge peace with these silent stowaways nor to accept the fact that a surgery to remove them would likely cause more damage.

From Time

Invasive stowaways may be more likely to survive this shorter trip.

From Science News For Students

A father and son were in for a bit of a shock this past Saturday when they discovered an unlikely stowaway that had traveled with them all the way from Las Vegas to Maine.

From Popular-Science

There are stowaways in the trunk of the warden’s car who want to take the story in one direction.

From Time

Key sources of snakes into New Zealand include stowaways in cargo ships, smugglers at airports, and enterprising swimmers.

From Popular-Science

But when England began trading with the Orient, the cockroach grew venturesome, and began putting to sea as a stowaway.

From Project Gutenberg

If Bothwell were on board the ship as a stowaway the aspect of affairs was more serious even than we had thought.

From Project Gutenberg

More likely to be a stowaway on a merchantman and then roustabout on a cattle boat, or some such thing.

From Project Gutenberg

Two years before this he had been a stowaway from England to America, and he was not discovered for several days.

From Project Gutenberg

The Captain's gaze settled on the stowaway's spotless white shirt and collar.

From Project Gutenberg