In the architecture of a ship, a companion or companionway is a raised and windowed hatchway in the ship's deck, with a ladder leading below and the hooded entrance-hatch to the main cabins. This meaning of "companion" is derived from French and Italian terms meaning "the chamber of the company," originally the name of the storeroom for provisions on board ship. The term later broadened to its current meaning.

See also

Glossary of nautical termsCategory:roomsNauticalCategory:Water transportCategory:Nautical termsde:Niedergang