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
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.
The front and back decks and interior stairwell had to be torn out and rebuilt. Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026 Fire department logs show victims were located both inside and outside buildings, including in hallways, stairwells and basement areas. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025 But hours of footage show a stairwell with little action other than the occasional passing staffer. Zac Anderson, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025 Alongside each elevator, the MTA will also build a very tall stairwell. Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 15 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stairwell

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stairwell was in 1920

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Cite this Entry

“Stairwell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stairwell. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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