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
Related Words
exploration, shipping, boating, voyage, flying, aeronautics, seafaring, seamanship, sailing, yachting, steerage, pilotage, steering, piloting, navigating, voyagingExamples 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