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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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of stairwell

First recorded in 1915–20; stair + well 2

Compare meaning

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The first two times, she and dozens of other passengers were lining up by the gate when they were told by staff to hurry to a nearby stairwell.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

The stairwell next door "bought new radiators, repaired the utilities together," she said, enviously.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

Witnesses later told police they saw several men in the stairwell of the car park carrying big bags during the night into 28 December.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

That moment between them on the collapsing stairwell —

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 25, 2025

“Then Brooke, and that sixth grader with the guitar I heard rehearsing in the stairwell, and, of course, the Great Timdini.”

From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.