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Synonyms

entryway

American  
[en-tree-wey] / ˈɛn triˌweɪ /

noun

  • entryways
    plural
  1. a passage for affording entrance.


Usage

What is an entryway? An entryway is a passage or room designed to be the entrance to a building. Entryway can also describe a figurative entrance, such as an entrance into a conversation, as in Because the twins never paused for breath while they were talking, I couldn’t find an entryway into their conversation. Example: Take this tank through the entryway of the fish store, and I’ll meet you around back with the animals.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of entryway

An Americanism dating back to 1740–50; entry + way 1

Explanation

An entryway is the door, passage, or general area of a building's entrance. The entryway of your vet's office might be decorated with pictures of dogs and cats. The opening, doorway, or small room you pass through on your way inside a house or building is called an entryway. The entryway to your house might be a very small area with a coat closet and a mirror, while the entryway of a palace is probably quite grand, and the town library's entryway might have book return slots and a security system to ensure no books get stolen.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

A shrine in the entryway of Ruth Higdon’s home in Ridgway.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 8, 2026

The old factory at 120 Jefferson Northeast, a sand-colored brick building with its distinctive arched entryway, had gone out of business, and quickly.

From Slate Mar. 25, 2026

The front door was charred black and the smell of smoke and soot lingered in the entryway.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 6, 2026

Big investments from Amazon proved particularly beneficial—and became an entryway into the Pentagon.

From The Wall Street Journal Mar. 3, 2026

In the Receiving Hall, Sophia marches Astrid up and down the long entryway from the door to the throne platform and back.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Next time, put the magnetometers at the entryways to the Hilton before the dinner, and better manage the flow up and down stairwells.

From Slate Apr. 28, 2026

A crowd of CEOs, diplomats, media bigwigs and celebrities from all over the world poured through the entryways like a stream overflowing its banks.

From The Wall Street Journal Jan. 21, 2026

That’s why houses have entryways or a mud room.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 2, 2026

Butler said he’s surprised by how many aging homeowners don’t think ahead about safety and maintenance, such as having entryways with no steps, curbless showers or wider doorways should they need a wheelchair someday.

From MarketWatch Nov. 5, 2025

The pink brick of the Royal Square gives way to white limestone mansions and townhouses adorned with quartz roses and blush-pink lanterns above their entryways.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

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