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Synonyms

hatchway

American  
[hach-way] / ˈhætʃˌweɪ /

noun

  1. Nautical. hatch.

  2. the opening of any trap door, as in a floor, ceiling, or roof.


hatchway British  
/ ˈhætʃˌweɪ /

noun

  1. an opening in the deck of a vessel to provide access below

  2. a similar opening in a wall, floor, ceiling, or roof, usually fitted with a lid or door

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of hatchway

First recorded in 1620–30; hatch 2 + way 1


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:

It was nonetheless immortalized in Lightfoot’s lyrics: “At 7 p.m., a main hatchway caved in, he said, ‘Fellas, it’s been good to know ya.’

From Slate ● Nov. 10, 2025

Gibbon nods and puts more of his strange marks on the wall by the hatchway.

From Nature ● Apr. 2, 2019

We entered frosty courts by a secret hatchway and waved wooden racquets in majestic arcs, a ceremony akin to polar explorers chiselling out ice caves.

From The New Yorker ● Jan. 18, 2016

During the turbulent re-entry of Soyuz, Louis said, the spacecraft's hatchway opened enough so that the oxygen supply escaped into space.

From Time Magazine Archive

His voice brought old Chad running up the hatchway.

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham

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