gateway

American  

[geyt-wey] / ˈgeɪtˌweɪ /

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of gateway

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

Example Sentences

AFP journalists in Dandong, the main gateway for cross-border travel and trade, saw a mostly empty passenger train rattle over a bridge into North Korea this week.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

And then the seven K-pop stars appeared in front of the medieval gateway to the palace.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

The Port of Jebel Ali is not only the U.A.E.’s main gateway to the world but a major artery of the global order the U.S. built and depends on.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

He was mostly there to celebrate a dredging project allowing larger ships to come to that city’s port, already the largest gateway for energy imports in the U.S.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

And just as the thought crossed his mind they passed through a heavy stone gateway and everything was very different.

From "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster