gangplank

[gang-plangk]

noun

1. a flat plank or small, movable, bridgelike structure for use by persons boarding or leaving a ship at a pier.

gangplank

/ ˈɡæŋˌplæŋk /

noun

1. nautical a portable bridge for boarding and leaving a vessel at dockside

Word History and Origins

Origin of gangplank¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; gang ¹ + plank

Example Sentences

Before we reached the gangplank at New York City, they dropped us once on cobblestones.

From Literature

Jack said he watched me until my feet disappeared over the gangplank …

From Seattle Times

But the first person George saw as they walked down the gangplank was Papa.

From Literature

One outside Fort Worth built a gangplank 22 feet above an arcade floor — walk it if you dare.

From New York Times

George Dasch and his team boarded a freighter, crossed its deck, and walked carefully over a gangplank into German U-boat 202.

From Literature

Related Words

• link 
• overpass 
• platform