steerage

noun

steer·​age ˈstir-ij 

1

: the act or practice of steering

broadly : direction

2

[from its originally being located near the rudder] : a section of inferior accommodations in a passenger ship for passengers paying the lowest fares

Examples of steerage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If Miranda Priestly can get thrown in steerage, we’re all screwed. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026

But the question remains: Will its plucky, no-frills specialness be lost with its move from theatrical steerage to Broadway first-class? — Frank Rizzo, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026

The 99% are the steerage class. — Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 7 Apr. 2026

But the great ocean liners also had steerage class, in which passengers were kept in crowded, primitive accommodations with minimal rations. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 2 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for steerage

• peerage
• arrearage

Kids Definition

steerage

noun

steer·​age ˈsti(ə)r-ij 

1

: the act or practice of steering

also : direction sense 1

2

: a section in a passenger ship for passengers paying the lowest fares