slipway

American  

[slip-way] / ˈslɪpˌweɪ /

noun

Nautical.

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

2. marine railway.

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

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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

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Etymology

Origin of slipway

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

slipway

Fishermen, using their own tractor, launching it down their own slipway.

From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026

In his report, Forbes said there were "clear unambiguous warning signs" at the Beacons slipway and the exits to Conwy and Delaney Marinas.

From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2026

Buckler's Hard, the small hamlet in the New Forest where the slipway is located, was once home to one of the busiest private shipyards of the 1700s.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2025

Around the same time, the third team launched from the Teal Park slipway near Auckland’s container terminal.

From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2025

You started a marble off at the top, and it rolled round and round, down the slipway on the outside, until it got to the bottom, and then dropped into a chute.

From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill

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