Standard Lemma guide

steerageway

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈstɪə.ɹɪd͡ʒˌweɪ/
  • US: /ˈstiɹɪd͡ʒˌweɪ/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The minimum speed of a ship, below which it does not answer the helm and cannot be steered.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: nautical, transport

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

(nautical) the minimum rate of motion needed for a vessel to be maneuvered

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: speed, velocity

History

Etymology

From steerage + way.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Hebrew: הֵעָנוּת לַהֶגֶה (he'anut lahege) — minimum speed of a ship
  • Polish: prędkość sterowna — minimum speed of a ship
  • Swedish: styrfart — minimum speed of a ship