areaway

American  

[air-ee-uh-wey] / ˈɛər i əˌweɪ /

noun

1. a sunken area leading to a cellar or basement entrance, or in front of basement or cellar windows.

2. a passageway, especially one between buildings.

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areaway British  

/ ˈɛərɪəˌweɪ /

noun

1. a passageway between parts of a building or between different buildings

2. See area

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Etymology

Origin of areaway

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; area + way ¹

Example Sentences

They reached an areaway, separated from the consulate by an iron fence, just as three Russians burst out of the consulate's back door.

From Time Magazine Archive

I left the kitchen and went into the back areaway to breathe.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

Garth, speculating on this unconventional performance, stepped casually into an areaway, as if, indeed, it was his destination.

From The Gray Mask by Camp, Wadsworth

It was twelve or thereabouts when two figures crept stealthily up the alley behind Mr. Tucker's Second-Hand Store and raised the window looking out on the areaway.

From The Dude Wrangler by Lockhart, Caroline

First he looked into the areaway of the Gladwin home and then his eye travelled up the wide balustraded stoop to the ornamental bronze doors.

From Officer 666 by Currie, Barton Wood