gangway
/ˈɡæŋweɪ/noun, verb, interjection
gangway is spelled G-A-N-G-W-A-Y: 7 letters. It appears about once in every 3 million words in written English, the 52,337th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a noun, gangway means “An aisle between rows of seating (especially in a train, aircraft or auditorium)” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of gangway is gangways.
How many letters and syllables are in gangway?
| Letters | 7: G-A-N-G-W-A-Y |
|---|---|
| In writing | about once in every 3 million words; the 52,337th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is gangway?
Gangway appears about once in every 3 million words in written English, the 52,337th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce gangway?
- US /ˈɡæŋweɪ/
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-gangway.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Forms of gangway
- gangways plural, present, singular, he/she/it
- gangwaying participle, present
- gangwayed participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does gangway mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
IrelandUKAn aisle between rows of seating (especially in a train, aircraft or auditorium).
The new fleet of trains comes with widened gangways and improved seating.
- 2
UKThe dividing aisle between the rows of seats on either side of the House of Commons. Used chiefly with reference to terms such as below the gangway.
- 3
USThe narrow space between two buildings or houses, used to access the backyard/alleyway from the front.
- 4
An articulating bridge or ramp, such as from land to a dock or a ship.
- 5
A passage along either side of a ship's upper deck.
- 6
A passage through the side of a ship or an opening in the railing through which the ship may be boarded; (also in later use) a jet bridge.
- 7
rareA temporary passageway, such as one made of planks.
- 8
obsoleterareA clear path through a crowd or a passageway with people.
verb
- 1
To serve as, furnish with, or conduct oneself as though proceeding on a gangway.
interjection
- 1
Make way! Clear a path!
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Gangway in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| French | passerelle, passage , passavant , écartez-vous, laissez passer, dégagez le passage |
| German | Gang, Gangway , Mach Platz! , Landungsbrücke , Durchgang |
| Portuguese | passagem, passadiço , portaló , abram alas , prancha |
| Spanish | corredor , pasadizo , pasarela, manga, finger (fínger) , portalón |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does gangway come from?
From Middle English gangway, from Old English gangweġ (“passageway; thoroughfare”), equivalent to gang + way. Related to Dutch gang (“hallway”) and Norwegian gang (“hallway”).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).