hatchway

[hach-wey]

noun

1. Nautical.,  hatch.

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

hatchway

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hatchway¹

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

Example Sentences

As he emerged from the hatchway, the wind almost took him off his feet.

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I saw him come out on deck again with a tool-chest and a lantern, and go down the forward hatchway.

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A set of new hatchway doors for someone’s boat leaned up against my father’s workbench.

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

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The faintly lit hatchway lay in the dark of the yard like a grave yawning at judgment day in some old apocalyptic painting.

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