areaway

American  

[air-ee-uh-wey] / ˈɛər i əˌweɪ /

noun

1. a sunken area leading to a cellar or basement entrance, or in front of basement or cellar windows.

2. a passageway, especially one between buildings.

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areaway British  

/ ˈɛərɪəˌweɪ /

noun

1. a passageway between parts of a building or between different buildings

2. See area

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Etymology

Origin of areaway

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; area + way ¹

Example Sentences

They reached an areaway, separated from the consulate by an iron fence, just as three Russians burst out of the consulate's back door.

From Time Magazine Archive

I left the kitchen and went into the back areaway to breathe.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

She went out of the quarters, crossed the areaway, and stood under the landing slot.

From Final Weapon by Leydenfrost, Alexander

The door to the house from the areaway was shaking to irregular, heavy blows, which stopped as Alan reached the lower hallway; the shouts continued still a moment more.

From The Indian Drum by Balmer, Edwin

“Candy! candy!” he yelled, darting out at them from an areaway.

From The Corner House Girls How they moved to Milton, what they found, and what they did by Hill, Grace Brooks