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Gate

Point of entry to a space enclosed by walls

Wikipedia contributorsAdapted for Fathomly · View authors
1 min read
Source updated May 26, 2026
Image credit is listed at the end of this article.

A gate or gateway is a point of entry to or from a space enclosed by walls. The word is derived from Proto-Germanic *gatan, meaning an opening or passageway. Synonyms include yett (which comes from the same root word) and portal. The concept originally referred to the gap or hole in the wall or fence, rather than a barrier which closed it. Gates may prevent or control the entry or exit of individuals, or they may be merely decorative. The moving part or parts of a gateway may be considered "doors", as they are fixed at one side whilst opening and closing like one.

A gate might have a latch that can be raised and lowered to both open a gate or prevent it from swinging. Gate operation can be either automated or manual. Locks are also used on gates to increase security.

Larger gates can be used for a whole building, such as a castle or fortified town. Doors can also be considered gates when they are used to block entry as prevalent within a gatehouse.

01Purpose-specific types of gate

Art Nouveau gate of Castel Béranger (Paris)
Art Nouveau gate of Castel Béranger (Paris)
Candi bentar, a typical Indonesian gate that is often found on the islands of Java and Bali
Candi bentar, a typical Indonesian gate that is often found on the islands of Java and Bali
Japanese Torii at Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Japan, where the Hindu goddess Saraswati is worshipped as the Buddhist-Shinto goddess Benzaiten
Japanese Torii at Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Japan, where the Hindu goddess Saraswati is worshipped as the Buddhist-Shinto goddess Benzaiten
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Sources and credits

This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Gate”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.

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Barricade

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