ENGLISH
REFERENCE

stairway

n. countable
A2 Elementary US //ˈstɛɹˌweɪ// UK //stˈeəweɪ// stair·way

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.

Synonyms
Origin

stair + way

Usage

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

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