companionway

noun

com·​pan·​ion·​way kəm-ˈpan-yən-ˌwā 

: a ship's stairway from one deck to another

Examples of companionway in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

All hands beat a hasty re treat to the cabin and barricaded themselves behind the companionway door. — Pat Smith, Outdoor Life, 24 July 2025

The companionways between two primary decks are so narrow that only one person at a time can use them. — Kenny Holston, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2024

After penning several layouts, the team settled on an open-plan interior that sees the aft cabins flow onto the main living section and the chart table tucked behind the companionway. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2022

The continuous glass band under the coach roof and glass hatches as well as the companionway door are really well done. — Bill Springer, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2021

Scores of men caught in the intricate maze of compartments and companionways belowdecks are trapped and die, many of them needlessly. — John McCain, Popular Mechanics, 27 Aug. 2018

Word History

Etymology

companion entry 3

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for companionway

• andromache
• bioassay
• cabriolet
• cercariae
• communique
• compositae
• decussate
• examinee
• fabaceae
• glyphosate
• gramineae
• liliaceae

Kids Definition

companionway

noun

com·​pan·​ion·​way -ˌwā 

: a ship's stairway from one deck to another