gangway: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Nautical, Theatrical, Everyday (as exclamation)
Quick answer
What does “gangway” mean?
A temporary or permanent passage, walkway, or bridge used for walking or moving, especially between two places, objects, or levels. Often found on ships, in theatres, or between rows of seats.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A temporary or permanent passage, walkway, or bridge used for walking or moving, especially between two places, objects, or levels. Often found on ships, in theatres, or between rows of seats.
Used as an interjection to urge people to make a path or way through a crowd; also refers more broadly to a clear path or route.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'gangway' is commonly used in Parliament to refer to the aisle separating government and opposition benches. In American English, this parliamentary sense is not used.
Connotations
In both varieties, the primary connotation is nautical or practical. The exclamation 'Gangway!' may sound slightly more old-fashioned or theatrical in American English.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English due to the parliamentary and nautical contexts; in American English, 'aisle', 'walkway', or 'ramp' might be preferred in some non-nautical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “gangway” in a Sentence
[Verb] + the + gangway: secure, lower, raise, clearPreposition + gangway: down the gangway, across the gangway, along the gangwayGangway! + (optional reason): Gangway! Coming through!The gangway + [Verb]: The gangway leads to.../The gangway connects...There is a gangway + between/from/to: There is a gangway between the two buildings.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gangway” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They gangwayed the crates across to the lorry. (archaic/rare)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; potentially in logistics or event planning for temporary access structures.
Academic
Rare; used in historical or nautical studies.
Everyday
Most common as an exclamation ('Gangway!') or when referring to aisles in theatres/stadiums.
Technical
Core term in maritime contexts, theatre/stadium design, aviation (jet bridge), and safety regulations.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gangway”
- Using 'gangway' to mean any hallway in a building (too broad).
- Confusing 'gangway' with 'gate' at an airport.
- Incorrect stress: /ɡæŋˈweɪ/ instead of /ˈɡæŋˌweɪ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while its origin and a primary context is nautical, it is also used in theatres, stadiums, between rows of seats, and as a general term for a temporary walkway or bridge.
An 'aisle' is typically a passage between rows of seats (in a church, plane, supermarket). A 'gangway' is often a moveable or specific-purpose walkway, like one you climb to board a ship, or can be a wider, more structural aisle (e.g., in a theatre).
It can be perceived as abrupt or commanding. It's used in urgent situations where quick movement is needed. In a casual crowd, 'Excuse me!' or 'Coming through!' is often more polite.
No, the verb form (meaning to use or create a gangway) is obsolete and extremely rare in modern English. The word is almost exclusively a noun or an interjection.
A temporary or permanent passage, walkway, or bridge used for walking or moving, especially between two places, objects, or levels. Often found on ships, in theatres, or between rows of seats.
Gangway is usually formal, nautical, theatrical, everyday (as exclamation) in register.
Gangway: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡaŋweɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡæŋˌweɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Mind the gangway! (nautical caution)”
- “Clear the gangway!”
- “Gangway! (exclamation for making a path)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GANG needing a WAY to get on the ship. GANG + WAY = GANGWAY.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PASSAGE IS A CONNECTOR; CLEARING A PATH IS A COMMAND FOR FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts would the use of 'gangway' be LEAST appropriate?