stairwell

American  

[stair-wel] / ˈstɛərˌwɛl /

Or stair well

noun

stairwells plural

1. the vertical shaft or opening containing a stairway.

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stairwell British  

/ ˈstɛəˌwɛl /

noun

1. a vertical shaft or opening that contains a staircase

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• stairwells
  plural

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

See Examples For:

stairwell stairwells

Firefighters said it hit the building's stairwell, potentially avoiding more casualties.

From Barron's ● May 5, 2026

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

Alex Warren, meanwhile, is being made to march down a stairwell past a kindly looking grandmother typing away on her phone as he pours his heart out in “Ordinary.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 1, 2026

In one video, some people start to hurry for an exit stairwell while shouting.

From BBC ● Jan. 2, 2026

We bypassed the elevator, moving quickly down a cramped stairwell.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

City fire chief Du Zhenzhou told state media his personnel struggled to reach the upper levels of the building because stairwells and exits were blocked with shoe materials.

From Barron's ● Jul. 9, 2026

Next time, put the magnetometers at the entryways to the Hilton before the dinner, and better manage the flow up and down stairwells.

From Slate ● Apr. 28, 2026

Leaves and debris burst inside restaurants and up stairwells.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 21, 2025

They had people sleeping in gyms, hallways, and even stairwells.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 6, 2025

I can’t float through walls or dive down stairwells.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman

Related Words

• staircase