# stairway

/ˈstɛɹˌweɪ/ (US) · /stˈeəweɪ/ (UK) · CEFR A2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stairway
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

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.

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

## Examples

- The wooden stairway leads to the second floor.
- The architect designed a wide, spiral stairway to serve as the central feature of the hotel lobby.
- 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 notes

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

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.