skidway

American  

[skid-wey] / ˈskɪdˌweɪ /

noun

1. a road or path formed of logs, planks, etc., for sliding objects.

2. a platform, usually inclined, for piling logs to be sawed or to be loaded onto a vehicle.

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skidway British  

/ ˈskɪdˌweɪ /

noun

1. a platform on which logs ready for sawing are piled

2. a track made of logs for rolling objects along

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Etymology

Origin of skidway

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80; skid + way ¹

Example Sentences

Drawn up the gaping skidway by steel cables thrumming on giant steam-driven winches, the whale reached the broad afterdeck.

From Time Magazine Archive

A heavy pair of tongs, like ice-tongs, is attached to one end, and the log is snaked out by horses to the skidway.

From Handwork in Wood by Noyes, William

By the skidway in the Puget Sound region is meant a corduroy road.

From Handwork in Wood by Noyes, William

“They may be on a perfectly legitimate enterprise, whoever they are,” Jack said, as all three took seats on the skidway.

From The Radio Boys with the Revenue Guards by Breckenridge, Gerald

Chapter IX—Lumberjacks Seek Revenge 91 "The skidway was tampered with!"

From Grace Harlowe's Overland Riders in the Great North Woods by Flower, Jessie Graham [pseud.]