gateway

American  

[geyt-wey] / 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

Etymology

Origin of gateway

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

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

In addition to orchestrating different AI models, the AI Control Tower is now increasingly serving as a gateway to vet nonhuman identities.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026

"This almost came across as a gateway to look at other polymorphic species from this region."

From Science Daily ● Jul. 9, 2026

The place: Scheduled to open in October in downtown Ketchum—the gateway to Sun Valley Resort—this 73-room property sits near the Big Wood River and Silver Creek, two blue-chip destinations for anglers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

With key associates, they built the nation’s foremost cable TV service — then the entertainment gateway — and grew stronger by offering internet, phone and then wireless service.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026

Covered with a fastidiously elaborate frieze, the twelve-foot gateway focuses the visitor’s eye on the image of a single deity whose figure projects from the lintel: the Staff God.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Nearly every system, from banking apps to payment gateways, relies on encryption to function.

From Barron's ● May 22, 2026

The findings reveal that simply opening ocean gateways between Antarctica, South America, and Australia was not enough to create it.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 7, 2026

Ghana, one of the main gateways for the trade, has long been a leading advocate for reparations.

From BBC ● Mar. 25, 2026

It reckons these facilities can serve as alternate gateways to Gulf Cooperation Council countries affected by airspace closure for time-sensitive goods such as emergency supplies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 6, 2026

Three other gateways, one in the middle of each wall, led north, east, and west.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan