slipway

American  

[slip-wey] / ˈslɪpˌweɪ /

noun

Nautical.

1. (in a shipyard) the area sloping toward the water, on which the ways way ways are located.

2. marine railway.

3. a ramp on a factory ship for hauling aboard carcasses of whales for processing.

---

slipway British  

/ ˈslɪpˌweɪ /

noun

1. the sloping area in a shipyard, containing the ways

2. Also called: marine railway.  the ways on which a vessel is launched

3. the ramp of a whaling factory ship

4. a pillowcase; pillowslip

---

Etymology

Origin of slipway

First recorded in 1830–40; slip ¹ + way ¹

Example Sentences

Port Talbot Coastguard Rescue said it responded to reports of multiple children being in "serious difficulty" in the sea off the slipway at Aberavon beach, Neath Port Talbot, at about 20:30 BST on Sunday.

From BBC

A 3D model of the slipway has also been created to aid research, and the site will be covered with a new layer of soil and topped with timbers in the style of the 1700s.

From BBC

While some aspects of a traditional naming ceremony were upheld, BAE Systems abandoned traditional "dynamic" slipway launches on the Clyde 14 years ago.

From BBC

MV Glen Rosa was launched from the Ferguson slipway in Port Glasgow a year ago in a far more finished state than its identical sister ship MV Glen Sannox seven years earlier.

From BBC

As well as an enlarged slipway and areas where companies can build and store devices and components, developers have also created new workboat pontoons, office and workshop facilities.

From BBC