slipway

[slip-wey]

noun

Nautical.

1. (in a shipyard) the area sloping toward the water, on which the ways way ways are located.

2. marine railway.

3. a ramp on a factory ship for hauling aboard carcasses of whales for processing.

slipway

/ ˈslɪpˌweɪ /

noun

1. the sloping area in a shipyard, containing the ways

2. Also called: marine railway. the ways on which a vessel is launched

3. the ramp of a whaling factory ship

4. a pillowcase; pillowslip

Word History and Origins

Origin of slipway¹

First recorded in 1830–40; slip ¹ + way ¹

Example Sentences

Port Talbot Coastguard Rescue said it responded to reports of multiple children being in "serious difficulty" in the sea off the slipway at Aberavon beach, Neath Port Talbot, at about 20:30 BST on Sunday.

From BBC

A slipway from the 18th Century where ships for Lord Nelson's fleet were built and launched has been excavated by archaeologists.

From BBC

While some aspects of a traditional naming ceremony were upheld, BAE Systems abandoned traditional "dynamic" slipway launches on the Clyde 14 years ago.

From BBC

MV Glen Rosa was launched from the Ferguson slipway in Port Glasgow a year ago in a far more finished state than its identical sister ship MV Glen Sannox seven years earlier.

From BBC

As well as an enlarged slipway and areas where companies can build and store devices and components, developers have also created new workboat pontoons, office and workshop facilities.

From BBC