noun
steerage
Steerage (noun) means Historically, the cheapest section of a passenger ship, with shared, basic accommodation rather than private cabins. Example: “Many immigrants crossed the Atlantic in steerage to save money.”
noun
1
Historically, the cheapest section of a passenger ship, with shared, basic accommodation rather than private cabins.
"Many immigrants crossed the Atlantic in steerage to save money."
2
The act or skill of steering a vessel, or how well a ship responds to its helm.
"The tugboat needed enough speed to maintain steerage in the strong current."
How to use steerage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the skill of guiding a ship, or (more commonly now) the bargain-basement deck where poorer passengers once travelled.
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Word forms
- Plural
- steerages
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Many immigrants crossed the Atlantic in _____ to save money.
Etymology
From "steer" plus the suffix "-age," originally meaning simply "the act of steering," later extended to the cramped lower decks where the ship's steering gear was once located.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for steerage
See all rhymes for steerage →Frequently asked questions
What does “steerage” mean?
The word “steerage” means historically, the cheapest section of a passenger ship, with shared, basic accommodation rather than private cabins. In plain terms, either the skill of guiding a ship, or (more commonly now) the bargain-basement deck where poorer passengers once travelled.
How do you use “steerage” in a sentence?
Here is “steerage” used in a sentence: “Many immigrants crossed the Atlantic in steerage to save money.”
What part of speech is “steerage”?
“Steerage” is a noun.
How many meanings does “steerage” have?
“Steerage” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: historically, the cheapest section of a passenger ship, with shared, basic accommodation rather than private cabins.
