Steerage

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. The act or practice of steering, or directing; as, the steerage of a ship. He left the city, and, in a most tempestuous season, forsook the helm and steerage of the common wealth. Milton.

2. The effect of the helm on a ship; the manner in which an individual ship is affected by the helm.

3. The hinder part of a vessel; the stern. [R.] Swift.

4. Properly, the space in the after part of a vessel, under the cabin, but used generally to indicate any part of a vessel having the poorest accommodations and occupied by passengers paying the lowest rate of fare.

5. Direction; regulation; management; guidance. He that hath the steerage of my course. Shak.

6. That by which a course is directed. [R.] Here he hung on high, The steerage of his wings. Dryden. Steerage passenger, a passenger who takes passage in the steerage of a vessel.