gangplank

[gang-plangk]

noun

1. a flat plank or small, movable, bridgelike structure for use by persons boarding or leaving a ship at a pier.

gangplank

/ ˈɡæŋˌplæŋk /

noun

1. nautical a portable bridge for boarding and leaving a vessel at dockside

Word History and Origins

Origin of gangplank¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; gang ¹ + plank

Example Sentences

I walked down the gangplank & headed...who knows where?

Read more on Literature

Before we reached the gangplank at New York City, they dropped us once on cobblestones.

Read more on Literature

Jack said he watched me until my feet disappeared over the gangplank …

Read more on Seattle Times

But the first person George saw as they walked down the gangplank was Papa.

Read more on Literature

One outside Fort Worth built a gangplank 22 feet above an arcade floor — walk it if you dare.

Read more on New York Times

Related Words

• link 
• overpass 
• platform