shipway

1. The structure supporting a ship during construction or in dry dock.
2. See ship canal.

n. a slope on which a ship is built and down which it slides to be launched.

See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.

The noun has 2 meanings:

Meaning #1: structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
  Synonyms: ways, slipway

Meaning #2: a canal large enough for sea-going vessels
  Synonym: ship canal