Word
stairwell
Phoneticsstair·well, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈstɛɹˌwɛɫ/
UK/stˈeəwɛl/
Definition
n. the area inside a building where the stairs are located. It is usually a vertical space with walls around it.
n. the enclosed vertical space within a building that contains a flight of stairs.
Examples
“The fire alarm went off in the stairwell.”
“The emergency exit is located in the stairwell on the second floor of the office building.”
“The architect designed the stairwell as a central atrium to allow natural light to reach the lower levels of the structure.”
Examples
simple
“The fire alarm went off in the stairwell.”
contextual
“The emergency exit is located in the stairwell on the second floor of the office building.”
complex
“The architect designed the stairwell as a central atrium to allow natural light to reach the lower levels of the structure.”
Real-World Examples
“The murder of 10-year-old Damilola Taylor in a Peckham stairwell 26 years ago has lost none of its horrors with age.” “The roof had to be opened using a crane after the stairwell collapsed.” Etymology
From stair + well.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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