doorway

[dawr-wey, dohr-]

noun

1. the passage or opening into a building, room, etc., commonly closed and opened by a door; portal.

2. a means of access.

   a doorway to success.

doorway

/ ˈdɔːˌweɪ /

noun

1. an opening into a building, room, etc, esp one that has a door

2. a means of access or escape

   a doorway to freedom

Word History and Origins

Origin of doorway¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; door + way ¹

Example Sentences

The rules read like a brick wall and function like a doorway.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“They would awaken sometimes at night to find her standing silently in the doorway, watching them sleep — ‘Oh, you’re awake?’” he writes.

Read more on Salon

A masked immigration agent was standing in the bedroom doorway.

Read more on Salon

Standing in the doorway as we crowded around, he clearly wanted to build up the sense of achievement, frequently referring to his own role in negotiating the deal.

Read more on BBC

A priest took the documents and lightly tapped them against the statue, which was swathed in flowers and tucked behind three doorways framed in gold leaf carvings of Hindu gods.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• access 
• avenue 
• corridor 
• door 
• entry 
• entryway 
• gate 
• hall 
• hallway 
• lobby 
• opening 
• passageway 
• porch 
• port 
• staircase