slipway

[ slip-wey ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. (in a shipyard) the area sloping toward the water, on which the ways way ways are located.
2. marine railway.
3. a ramp on a factory ship for hauling aboard carcasses of whales for processing.

slipway

/ ˈslɪpˌweɪ /

noun

1. the sloping area in a shipyard, containing the ways
2. Also calledmarine railway the ways on which a vessel is launched
3. the ramp of a whaling factory ship
4. a pillowcase; pillowslip

Word History and Origins

Origin of slipway¹

First recorded in 1830–40; slip ¹ + way ¹

Example Sentences

As well as an enlarged slipway and areas where companies can build and store devices and components, developers have also created new workboat pontoons, office and workshop facilities.

From BBC

The Glen Rosa was launched from the slipway earlier this year and fitting out work is expected to be complete by September 2025.

From BBC

The ship is built in sections, then joined together on the slipway, supported by keel blocks, bilge blocks, wedges and "shores" - heavy lengths of timber.

From BBC

On Friday, a military convoy carried the unexploded bomb on the back of a truck from the site through a densely populated residential area to Torpoint Ferry slipway, where it was taken out to sea.

From BBC

Devon and Cornwall Police said the bomb, which was found in a residential yard on Tuesday, will be taken to the Torpoint Ferry slipway to be disposed of at sea beyond the breakwater.

From Seattle Times