gangway

American  

[gang-wey, gang-wey] / ˈgæŋˌweɪ, ˈgæŋˈweɪ /

noun

1. a passageway, especially a narrow walkway.

2. Nautical.

   1. an opening in the railing or bulwark of a ship, as that into which a gangplank fits.

   2. a gangplank.

   3. an area of the weather deck of a ship, between the side and a deckhouse.

   4. accommodation ladder.

3. Railroads.

   1. the space between the cab of a steam locomotive and its tender.

   2. the side entrance of a diesel or electric locomotive.

4. British.

   1. an aisle in a theater, restaurant, etc.

   2. an aisle in the House of Commons separating the more influential members of the political parties from the younger, less influential members.

   3. a runway in a theater.

5. a temporary path of planks, as at a building site.

6. Mining. a main passage or level.

7. Also called logway.  the ramp up which logs are moved into a sawmill.

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interjection

1. clear the way! out of the way!

gangway British  

/ ˈɡæŋˌweɪ /

noun

1. an opening in a ship's side to take a gangplank

2. another word for gangplank

3. an aisle between rows of seats

4. Also called: logway.  a ramp for logs leading into a sawmill

5. a main passage in a mine

6. temporary planks over mud or earth, as on a building site

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1. clear a path!

Other Word Forms

• gangwayed adjective

Etymology

Origin of gangway

1680–90; gang ¹ + way ¹; not continuous with Old English gangweg

Example Sentences

Holding the Euro 2025 trophy, skipper Leah Williamson was the first player to emerge from the plane, walking down the stairs of the gangway alongside head coach Sarina Wiegman.

From BBC • Jul. 28, 2025

As they filed onto the gangway and descended to the rig, Temple identified the visitors.

From Slate • Dec. 16, 2023

Gump, the main character from the movie, was on a cross-country run when he jogged down a wooden gangway to the lighthouse, signaling he’d reached the East Coast.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 2, 2023

On Tuesday, Mr. Shaddock, 54, walked down the gangway of the Maria Delia, the Mexican tuna trawler that had rescued him, and began to recount his remarkable story of survival.

From New York Times • Jul. 18, 2023

“Maybe they’re on a different ferry,” I said as the last trickle of people walked down the gangway.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros