Companionways refer to stairways on boats or ships that lead from one deck to another. However, there are many synonyms for this term, such as ladders, stairs, gangplanks, ramps, passageways, halls, corridors, and entrances. Each of these words has a slightly different connotation and usage. For example, "gangplank" refers to a portable platform used to board or disembark a ship, while "ramp" refers to a sloping surface that connects two levels. "Ladder" and "stairs" are more general descriptors of stairways, while "passageway," "hall," and "corridor" are broader terms that refer to any enclosed space that connects different areas. Regardless of the specific synonym used, all of these terms help to describe the different methods of movement and connection between spaces on a boat or ship.