companionway

American  

[kuhm-pan-yuhn-wey] / kəmˈpæn yənˌweɪ /

noun

Nautical.

1. a stair or ladder within the hull of a vessel.

2. the space occupied by this stair or ladder.

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companionway British  

/ kəmˈpænjənˌweɪ /

noun

1. a stairway or ladder leading from one deck to another in a boat or ship

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Etymology

Origin of companionway

First recorded in 1830–40; companion ² + way ¹

Example Sentences

He dashed out the door and up the companionway.

From Literature

I imagined them in the galley, mess halls, companionways, sail locker, engine room.

From Salon

With a tether connecting her to the 30-foot sailboat, she crouched down in the entrance to the companionway and stayed out of harm’s way while her father trimmed the sail.

From Seattle Times

The jamb was splitting on the inside and it finally gave way and he pushed it open and stepped down the companionway into the cabin.

From Literature

Down some stairs, or a companionway, there was a small saloon where John Faa was talking quietly with Nicholas Rokeby, the gyptian in charge of the vessel.

From Literature