English Reference
Noun

stairway

n. countable
A2 Elementary US /ˈstɛɹˌweɪ/ UK /stˈeəweɪ/ stair·way UK spelling stairway's, stairway's

n.a set of steps that you use to go from one floor of a building to another. It is usually inside a house or an office.

n.a set of steps, including the supporting structure and handrails, providing access between different levels of a building.


SIMPLE

The wooden stairway leads to the second floor.

CONTEXTUAL

The architect designed a wide, spiral stairway to serve as the central feature of the hotel lobby.

COMPLEX

Emergency protocols require that the stairway remain clear of obstructions at all times to ensure a rapid evacuation during a fire or other building crisis.

Usage

Often used interchangeably with 'staircase', though 'stairway' more frequently refers to the entire passage or route.


stair + way

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Occasional
Updated