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Definition of "steerageway" [steer•age•way]

  • The minimum rate of motion required for a ship or boat to be maneuvered by the helm. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "steerageway" in a sentence
  • "Dorwan turned toward the end of the pier, watching as the vessel approached with bare steerageway."
  • "The Seastag moved slowly northward, then hove to off the southern breakwater, waiting, the paddle wheels turning just enough to keep the ship with bare steerageway."
  • "Although the paddle wheels were beginning to pick up a slow and even rhythm, even Kharl could tell that the ship was losing headway and might soon even lose steerageway."