gateway

American  

[gayt-way] / ˈgeɪtˌweɪ /

noun

• gateways
  plural

1. an entrance or passage that may be closed by a gate.

2. a structure for enclosing such an opening or entrance.

3. any passage by or point at which a region may be entered.

   New York soon became the gateway to America.

4. Digital Technology.

   1. software or hardware that connects two disparate computer networks, as to enable the passage of information between a home or business network and the internet.

   2. software that facilitates digital communication of text messages over cellular telephone networks.

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adjective

1. relating to or noting an ingested substance, habit, activity, etc., that is relatively free of bad effects but may lead to more dangerous or extreme choices.

   sweet gateway drinks that mask the taste of alcohol;

   gateway gadgets that seem simple enough, but tempt you to buy expensive accessories.

gateway British  

/ ˈɡeɪtˌweɪ /

noun

1. an entrance that may be closed by or as by a gate

2. a means of entry or access

   Mumbai, gateway to India

3. (modifier) allowing entry, access, or progress to a more extreme form

   gateway drug

   gateway drink

4. computing hardware and software that connect incompatible computer networks, allowing information to be passed from one to another

5. a software utility that enables text messages to be sent and received over digital cellular telephone networks

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• gateways
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of gateway

First recorded in 1700–10; gate ¹ + way ¹

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Explanation

A gateway is an opening or entrance of a gate that swings open and shut. People also use the word gateway to describe the entryway into anything, like school could be your gateway to opportunity. Study hard. Gateways are similar to doorways, with the obvious difference being the gate that you open to pass through, rather than a door. You can also use this word in a figurative way, to mean "entrance," or "means of access." For example, you could say, "That huge bank building is the gateway to the city's financial district," or "Delhi is the gateway to South Asia."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

gateway gateways

Paoletta added that the arch would honour the nation, its veterans and "provide the sacred ground of Arlington National Cemetery with the monumental gateway it deserves".

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026

“In just one century, Los Angeles built itself into a global metropolis. The gateway to the Pacific. A center of ingenuity and invention. The cultural capital of the entire planet,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026

The government is welcoming data centre investment to promote the country -- home to the fastest expansion on the continent -- as "Africa's digital gateway".

From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026

Under normal conditions, this protein functions as a controlled gateway, releasing calcium when muscles need to contract.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 20, 2026

I finished talking about my desire to work in international law and how a job at this firm would be the perfect gateway into that field.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Cesarone will oversee areas such as UPS’s global air network and gateways, surface transportation, building and engineering operations, automotive operations and sustainability functions, and report directly to Tomé, UPS said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

The seven MBacc "gateways" - although designed specifically around Greater Manchester's "fastest-growing industries" - are actually quite broad-ranging.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

TRPV4 is part of a family of ion channels that function like tiny molecular gateways in sensory nerve cells.

From Science Daily ● May 10, 2026

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach share a space and compete against other global gateways, Hacegaba said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 13, 2026

He didn’t know what that was exactly, but Vikus had mentioned it had two gateways to the Overland.

From "Gregor the Overlander" by Suzanne Collins

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