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DictionaryalleyNarrow passage
noun

alley

AL-ee/ˈæli/

A narrow passage between or behind buildings.

The narrow paved alley runs between the walls of two buildings.

A narrow outdoor paved passage tightly bounded by the side walls of two separate buildings, viewed from its entrance toward a small opening at the far end.
Etymology
alleyOld Frenchpath, passage; a going

Old French alee meant both “a going” and a path or passage: movement supplied a name for the route taken. The deeper origin of its underlying verb “to go” is uncertain.

In context

Old Time Radio Researchers4:09
this is the alley to the right between the buildings all right let's go
Escape - Papa Benjamin (national broadcast)

More examples

  • A cat disappears into the alley between two houses.
  • The neighborhood's alleys connect its small courtyards.
  • Workers clear the blocked alley before the market opens.

Forms

alley · alleys

Similar words

passage
Broader; can be inside a building or through terrain.
lane
Can be a small road without lying between buildings.