widow's walk

American  

noun

1. a platform or walk atop a roof, as on certain coastal New England houses of the 18th and early 19th centuries: often used as a lookout for incoming ships.

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Etymology

Origin of widow's walk

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40

Example Sentences

After dark, I climbed the spiral staircase to the widow’s walk and stood by the pulsing beacon, which felt forbidden but isn’t.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2024

In addition to the crow’s nest, the house also has a widow’s walk, where it is said the women would wait to welcome their husbands home from war.

From Washington Times • Mar. 18, 2018

The widow’s walk was being turned into a meditation room; photographs of Gray and his children, now grown, occupied every wall and corner.

From New York Times • Dec. 28, 2017

Mourning and ring-neck doves flew onto the widow’s walk of the tallest house on Beaufort’s waterfront, according to Chris Davis, 58, owner of a home there.

From BusinessWeek • Aug. 26, 2011

I saw, in sharp, ink-black silhouette against the sky, turrets and pikes, a widow’s walk.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt