gangway

[n. gang-wey; interj. gang-wey] /n. ˈgæŋˌweɪ; interj. ˈgæŋˈweɪ/
noun
1.
a passageway, especially a narrow walkway.
2.
Nautical.
  1. an opening in the railing or bulwark of a ship, as that into which a gangplank fits.
  2. gangplank.
  3. an area of the weather deck of a ship, between the side and a deckhouse.
  4. accommodation ladder.
3.
Railroads.
  1. the space between the cab of a steam locomotive and its tender.
  2. the side entrance of a diesel or electric locomotive.
4.
British.
  1. an aisle in a theater, restaurant, etc.
  2. an aisle in the House of Commons separating the more influential members of the political parties from the younger, less influential members.
  3. a runway in a theater.
5.
a temporary path of planks, as at a building site.
6.
Mining. a main passage or level.
7.
Also called logway. the ramp up which logs are moved into a sawmill.
interjection
8.
clear the way! out of the way!
Origin
1680-90; gang1 + way; not continuous with Old English gangweg
Related forms
gangwayed, adjective
Examples from the web for gangway
  • The pirates managed to hook a ladder over the ship's gangway, and one of them began to clamber up the side.
  • When boarding any modern cruise ship, you will cross the gangway into some sort of open atrium.
  • Then you walk down the gangway into a new adventure.
  • Wheelchairs and scooters can leave the ship at any port that offers gangway access.
  • Another one never blows or shovels the common walk in the gangway.
  • One ship had a hand-held metal scanner for use at the ship's gangway.
  • The ramp also features a gangway and dock that is accessible for those with disabilities.
  • When one of the officers confronted the suspect in a gangway between two houses, both the officer and the suspect fired weapons.
  • The task called for the placement of a gangway connecting the barge to the dock.
  • Maintains ship's log while in port and stands gangway watch to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ship.
British Dictionary definitions for gangway

gangplank

/ˈɡæŋˌplæŋk/
noun
1.
(nautical) a portable bridge for boarding and leaving a vessel at dockside

gangway

/ˈɡæŋˌweɪ/
noun
1.
an opening in a ship's side to take a gangplank
2.
another word for gangplank
3.
(Brit) an aisle between rows of seats
4.
(mainly US) Also called logway. a ramp for logs leading into a sawmill
5.
a main passage in a mine
6.
temporary planks over mud or earth, as on a building site
sentence substitute
7.
clear a path!
Word Origin and History for gangway
n.

Old English gangweg "road, passage, thoroughfare;" see gang (in its original sense) + way. As a command to clear way, attested by 1912, American English.