stowaway

[ stoh-uh-wey ]

noun

1. a person who hides aboard a ship or airplane in order to obtain free transportation or elude pursuers.

stowaway

/ ˈstəʊəˌweɪ /

noun

1. a person who hides aboard a vehicle, ship, or aircraft in order to gain free passage

verb

1. intr, adverb to travel in such a way

Word History and Origins

Origin of stowaway¹

First recorded in 1850–55; noun use of verb phrase stow away

Example Sentences

Paddington arrives as a stowaway on a boat from South America and settles with the Brown family, who name him after the London train station where they found him.

From BBC

"We've had 200 stowaways this year. Twelve have been scorpions and three of those have been within the last month - the same species of scorpion from China," he said.

From BBC

The diversion was in line with company procedures as the furry stowaway posed a safety risk, airline spokesperson Oystein Schmidt told the AFP news agency.

From BBC

But nobody expected her to become a stowaway.

From Los Angeles Times

Now the man faces a felony charge of being a stowaway on an aircraft.

From Seattle Times