gangway

noun

gang·​way ˈgaŋ-ˌwā 

1

: passageway

especially : a temporary way of planks

2

a

: either of the sides of the upper deck of a ship

b

: the opening by which a ship is boarded

c

: gangplank

3

British : aisle

4

a

: a cross aisle dividing the front benches from the backbenches in the British House of Commons

b

: an aisle in the British House of Commons that separates government and opposition benches

5

: a clear passage through a crowd

—often used as an interjection

Examples of gangway in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The technicians had used the ship’s gangway to walk onto the turbine and stood at its base, or foundation. —Jennifer McDermott, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026

Instead of a traditional gangway, a Zodiac whisked us across a calm bay teeming with wildlife. —David Morris, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2026

The technicians had used the ship's gangway to walk onto the turbine and stood at its base. —ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026

Both parts of the loft are connected with a small gangway and can be configured as two bedrooms, or alternatively as a storage space and bedroom, for example. —Adam Williams march 10, New Atlas, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "raised walkway on a ship," apparently from gang entry 1, in northern and Scots sense "passage" + way entry 1

Note: There is no continuity between this usage, first attested in 1688, and Old English gangweg, attested once.

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for gangway

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

gangway

noun

gang·​way ˈgaŋ-ˌwā 

1

: a passage into, through, or out of an enclosed place

2

: gangplank

3

: a clear passage through a crowd

—often used as an interjection

Gangway! Coming through!