Gate Meaning
Gate Definition & Usage
A movable barrier, typically consisting of a frame that swings on hinges, used to close an opening in a wall, fence, etc.
Examples
- "The old wooden gate creaked loudly as she pushed it open."
- "He stood by the iron gate, waiting for someone to arrive."
- "The children played in the backyard, making sure to close the gate behind them."
- "To enter the park, you need to pass through the main gate."
- "The garden gate was painted a bright red, contrasting beautifully with the greenery."
An area at an airport where passengers board or disembark from an aircraft.
Examples
- "Passengers began to line up at gate 34 for their flight to New York."
- "She checked the flight schedule to find her departure gate."
- "Due to security issues, gate 12 was closed unexpectedly."
- "Making sure he had his boarding pass, he hurried to gate A5."
- "The announcement warned travelers that their gate had changed to B22."
To restrict access or control entry, often used metaphorically in a political or social context.
Examples
- "The new policies could gate access to essential services for low-income families."
- "They've proposed a law to gate the amount of spending in local campaigns."
- "Many have criticized the school for gating enrollment based on zip codes."
- "The city council discussed how to gate the use of public parks."
- "Technology companies are often accused of gating their services to maximize profit."
Cultural Context
Gates have existed in various cultures and locations since ancient times, serving as points of entry and security. In many instances, gates symbolize transitions, such as moving from public to private spaces or representing freedom and barriers in a more abstract sense.
The Gatekeepers
Story
The Gatekeepers
In a quiet town sheltered by a weathered fence, a magnificent wooden gate stood at the entrance to the old Thompson estate. Its intricate carvings told stories of a family that had long since vanished, yet shadows reverberated in the history it held. Jenny, a curious teenager, often admired the gate from the sidewalk, dreaming of adventures on the other side. "If only I could see what's out there!" she sighed, her heart racing with each passing breeze. One sunny afternoon, while exploring her neighborhood, she stumbled upon an elderly man feeding the birds in his yard. Emile, the town's unofficial historian, noticed her gaze fixed on the gate and chuckled. "You know, that gate could tell you secrets more intriguing than you can imagine," he said. Intrigued, Jenny approached him. "What do you mean?" she asked, curiosity piqued. "They say that long ago, this place had parties that spanned across fields, and the laughter flowed until dawn. But none could enter unless they had an invitation," he explained, his eyes shining with nostalgia. The idea of a hidden world beyond the gate ignited Jenny's imagination. Emile continued, "In recent times, they've even made it a point to gate access to the estate, keeping it closed off to just a select few. It’s a place that once welcomed all, now turned selective." A few days later, with Emile’s stories swirling in her mind, Jenny found herself at the local airport with her family, ready to board a flight to a distant city. As they moved through the busy terminal, she caught sight of an overhead sign: "Flight departures from Gate 22." The chaos and life felt exhilarating, yet she couldn’t help but think of the old gate and its stories, contrasting the bustling travel with the stillness of the estate years past. Later, as she checked her phone, a news alert caught her attention, talking about a new law intended to gate the access of certain resources within their town, reverting back to the kind of secrecy that made the Thompson estate what it was. Jenny felt a sense of urgency; she discussed it with her friends, passionate about making sure that their town remained open and inclusive. That evening, while waiting at the departure gate for her flight, Jenny pondered over what gates truly symbolized—both a passage and a blockade. Looking around, she saw families eagerly boarding their flights and felt a wave of hope. Maybe her town would open the gates to all once again. She knew she would become a gatekeeper, not of exclusion like the estate, but of possibilities and inclusivity, cherishing the stories that lay behind both the gates she had come across.
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