steerage
[steer-ij]
- a part or division of a ship, formerly the part containing the steering apparatus.
- (in a passenger ship) the part or accommodations allotted to the passengers who travel at the cheapest rate.
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Origin of steerage
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for steerage
Contemporary Examples
The airlines have indoctrinated us to accept a “steerage complex.”
Historical Examples
I was at last convinced that they had no friends among the steerage passengers.
In a Steamer Chair and Other StoriesRobert Barr
Probably some steerage passengers have come on the cabin deck.
In a Steamer Chair and Other StoriesRobert Barr
As Sim said, when he faced his problem, "I couldn't seem to get steerage way on her."
Kent Knowles: QuahaugJoseph C. Lincoln
If we can h'ist the jib we can get some steerage way on her, maybe.
The Woman-HatersJoseph C. Lincoln
There were only two other steerage passengers and they were women.
The Woman Thou Gavest MeHall Caine
steerage
- the cheapest accommodation on a passenger ship, originally the compartments containing the steering apparatus
- an instance or the practice of steering and the effect of this on a vessel or vehicle
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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
Word Origin and History for steerage
n.
mid-15c., "action of steering," from steer (v.) + -age. Meaning "part of a ship in front of the chief cabin" is from 1610s; originally where the steering apparatus of the ship was, it retained the name after the introduction of the deck wheel in early 18c.; hence meaning "section of a ship with the cheapest accommodations," first recorded 1804.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper