stairwell

American  

[stair-wel] / ˈstɛərˌwɛl /

Or stair well

noun

1. the vertical shaft or opening containing a stairway.

---

stairwell British  

/ ˈstɛəˌwɛl /

noun

1. a vertical shaft or opening that contains a staircase

---

Etymology

Origin of stairwell

First recorded in 1915–20; stair + well ²

Compare meaning

How does stairwell compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• stairwell vs. staircase

Example Sentences

On weekends, sometimes a jazz band performs behind the stairwell and revelers dance in the eaves.

From Los Angeles Times

Less than half an hour later - two members of the Iranian delegation sprinted across the lobby, and down a stairwell leading to the basement carpark.

From BBC

Footage taken in the aftermath showed a fire blazing in what appeared to be a stairwell, while thick black plumes of smoke billowed from the upper floors.

From BBC

She’s hauled pigs down apartment stairwells and coaxed them into crates for transport.

From The Wall Street Journal

William Ramsay, who lives in the area in the west of the city, said he believed the man with the weapons had entered the stairwell of his building.

From BBC

Related Words

• staircase