doorway

noun

door·​way ˈdȯr-ˌwā How to pronounce doorway (audio)
1
: the opening that a door closes
especially : an entrance into a building or room
2

Examples of doorway in a Sentence

Please don't block the doorway. She stepped through the doorway. He stood in the doorway, wondering if he should go in. Homeless people sleep in the doorways of the shops.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Instead, the British ships stayed at Flushing Bay just beyond range, leaving the doorway to escape wide open. JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025 Mike trailed his finger over the hall table, checking for dust, as Carol appeared in the doorway to the living room, planting her palms on Drew’s chest in assessment. Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025 In excerpts from Federline’s book published by the New York Times earlier this week, the 47-year-old claims that one of the couple’s sons allegedly woke up one night to find Spears standing in the doorway holding a knife. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2025 Past the entrance and around the corner, customers will notice an open doorway marked off by velvet ropes. Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for doorway

Word History

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of doorway was in 1666

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Cite this Entry

“Doorway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doorway. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

doorway

noun
door·​way -ˌwā How to pronounce doorway (audio)
1
: the opening or passage that a door closes
2
: a means of reaching or gaining something
the doorway to success

More from Merriam-Webster on doorway

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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