Definition of widow's walk in English:
widow's walk
noun
A railed platform built on a roof, originally in early New England houses, for providing an unimpeded sea view.
- Cupola domes and widow's walks sprout from the roofs of buildings, while ornate, old apartment blocks bear names like Haus Hohenzollern.
- The new building is capped with a roof walk, echoing an architectural feature atop numerous houses on the island that is commonly referred to as a widow's walk.
- Diana vaguely remembered seeing the widow's walk, hanging like an afterthought on the front of the house close to the top, wrapped with a wrought iron railing.
- The rambling old beach house had a dozen or more rooms, attics, walk-in closets with hidden panels and a widow's walk that gave a view of the ocean.
- A traditional two-story Victorian, complete with cream-colored gingerbread, widow's walk, and verdigris weather vanes, it fits the atmosphere well.
Origin
1930s: with reference to its use as a viewpoint for the return of a seafaring husband.
Definition of widow's walk in US English:
widow's walk
noun
North American A railed or balustraded platform built on a roof, originally in early New England houses, typically for providing an unimpeded view of the sea.
- The new building is capped with a roof walk, echoing an architectural feature atop numerous houses on the island that is commonly referred to as a widow's walk.
- Diana vaguely remembered seeing the widow's walk, hanging like an afterthought on the front of the house close to the top, wrapped with a wrought iron railing.
- The rambling old beach house had a dozen or more rooms, attics, walk-in closets with hidden panels and a widow's walk that gave a view of the ocean.
- Cupola domes and widow's walks sprout from the roofs of buildings, while ornate, old apartment blocks bear names like Haus Hohenzollern.
- A traditional two-story Victorian, complete with cream-colored gingerbread, widow's walk, and verdigris weather vanes, it fits the atmosphere well.
Origin
1930s: with reference to its use as a viewpoint for the return of a seafaring husband.