fire escape.

An emergency route out of a building, especially an exterior stair or ladder used when normal exits are unsafe.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• metal fire escape
• climb the fire escape
• fire-escape door

On the page

The fire escape zigzagged down the brick wall.

Someone had blocked the fire-escape door with cartons.

She climbed onto the fire escape to signal to the people below.

Usage notes

Primary category: architecture. Can name the metal structure itself; not every exterior staircase is designated as a fire escape. Count compound noun: fire escapes.