stairwell

noun

stair·​well ˈster-ˌwel How to pronounce stairwell (audio)
: a vertical shaft in which stairs are located

Examples of stairwell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The man’s body was found in a stairwell by a public works employee at approximately 6:10 a.m., according to the Redondo Beach Police Department. Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2024 At Heyburn Elementary in the St. Maries School District, a stairwell at the front entrance was turned into the music classroom. Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 13 Feb. 2024 But the slapdash project left unsightly scars, including several walled-off stairwells and partially enclosed covered walkways. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2024 Apartment complexes must have smoke detectors in shared stairwells. Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 27 Jan. 2024 It was sponsored by the local Satanic Temple and placed somewhat discreetly on the basement floor, in the armpit of a side stairwell. Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2024 Even a stairwell landing can accommodate a game table. Marisa Spyker, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2023 Read on for his recollections of throwing pans down stairwells, saying yes to Johnny Cash, and censoring rogue horse tails. Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 3 Dec. 2023 The daughter slides down the stairwell to the living room to find her father, beer and pretzel snacks in hand. J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stairwell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stairwell was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near stairwell

Cite this Entry

“Stairwell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stairwell. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

stairwell

noun
stair·​well -ˌwel How to pronounce stairwell (audio)
: a vertical shaft in which stairs are located

More from Merriam-Webster on stairwell

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