companionway

American  

[kuhm-pan-yuhn-wey] / kəmˈpæn yənˌweɪ /

noun

Nautical.

1. a stair or ladder within the hull of a vessel.

2. the space occupied by this stair or ladder.

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companionway British  

/ kəmˈpænjənˌweɪ /

noun

1. a stairway or ladder leading from one deck to another in a boat or ship

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Etymology

Origin of companionway

First recorded in 1830–40; companion ² + way ¹

Example Sentences

With a tether connecting her to the 30-foot sailboat, she crouched down in the entrance to the companionway and stayed out of harm’s way while her father trimmed the sail.

From Seattle Times • May 28, 2021

One wave smashed through his companionway, flooded the boat, fried his electronics and sparked a small fire.

From Washington Post • Sep. 24, 2018

Those standing around the boats were either swept overboard or trapped between the two decks; those of us who were still on our feet struggled up the companionway and down on to the port deck.

From Time Magazine Archive

Broad-shouldered anglers may find the companionway narrow, but the trade-off is a bigger master cabin with en suite head to port.

From Time Magazine Archive

He dashed out the door and up the companionway.

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham