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 gangway between the tents opened up to a vast area of benches that reeked of wet dogs under the pressure of texturizing sprays, mousse, rollers, flat irons, and blow-dryers. —Andrew Norman Wilson, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026

Stevens had been trying to get home from a nearby bar when she was found in the gangway. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026

For one, passengers board and disembark by way of a narrow gangway that doesn’t accommodate wheelchairs. —Janice Wald Henderson, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026

Fernandina gangway collapses during 4th of July fireworks The cause of the deck collapse is under investigation. —Teresa Stepzinski, Florida Times-Union, 25 Jan. 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!