gateway
GAYT-way
Gateway (noun) means an entrance or opening that can be closed with a gate. Example: “A wrought iron gateway marks the entrance to the garden.”
noun
1
An entrance or opening that can be closed with a gate.
"A wrought iron gateway marks the entrance to the garden."
"Cattle wandered through the open gateway into the neighbouring field."
"They passed through a stone gateway into the old town."
2
Something that leads to or makes possible a further experience or stage.
"Volunteering abroad was a gateway to a whole new career for her."
"Learning the basics is a gateway to more advanced skills."
"Critics call marijuana a gateway drug."
3
(computing) A device or system that connects two different networks.
"The office gateway links the company's internal network to the wider internet."
"If the gateway fails, the smart devices cannot reach the outside network."
"The router acts as a gateway between the home network and the internet."
How to use gateway
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn entrance, or something that opens the way to something else, including in a computing-network sense.
Common pairings
gateway drug
gateway to
network gateway
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Word forms
- Plural
- gateways
- Third person singular
- gateways
- Past tense
- gatewayed
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A wrought iron _____ marks the entrance to the garden.
Etymology
From "gate" plus "way."
Related words
Rhymes for gateway
See all rhymes for gateway →Frequently asked questions
What does “gateway” mean?
The word “gateway” means an entrance or opening that can be closed with a gate. In plain terms, an entrance, or something that opens the way to something else, including in a computing-network sense.
How do you pronounce “gateway”?
“Gateway” is pronounced GAYT-way (/ˈɡeɪtˌweɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “gateway” in a sentence?
Here is “gateway” used in a sentence: “They passed through a stone gateway into the old town.”
What part of speech is “gateway”?
“Gateway” is a noun.
Is “gateway” a common word?
“Gateway” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “gateway” have?
“Gateway” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an entrance or opening that can be closed with a gate.
What is the difference between a gateway and a router in computing?
A gateway is a device or system that connects two different networks, often translating between different protocols or formats so the networks can communicate. A router, by contrast, typically directs traffic between networks that already share the same protocol, making a gateway a broader, more general-purpose connecting point.
What does it mean when something is called a "gateway" to opportunity or success?
Used figuratively, "gateway" describes something that leads to or makes possible a further experience or stage, such as a qualification, city, or event that opens the door to bigger opportunities. This sense extends the physical idea of a gateway as an entrance into an abstract idea of access or transition.
What is the difference between a gateway and a doorway?
A gateway is specifically an entrance or opening that can be closed with a gate, often marking the boundary of a larger property, city, or region. A doorway is a smaller-scale opening for a door, usually part of a single building rather than an enclosed area.
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