In Genesis, what was Noah’s Ark’s side opening called?

In Genesis, Noah’s Ark had a door in its side.

Genesis 6:16 gives several construction details after listing the ark’s dimensions: it mentions a window, an upper structure, and a door placed in the side. The passage does not describe a modern steering system, sails, or a rudder. Its focus is on enclosing Noah, his family, and the animals from the floodwaters.

The side door is sometimes confused with the ark’s roof opening. These are separate features in the Genesis account: the door provides entry, while the opening above relates to light or ventilation. The text also describes the vessel as having three decks and internal compartments.

In later artistic depictions, the door may be shown as a large ramp or elaborate entrance, but those visual details are not specified by Genesis. The short canonical answer is simply “a door,” located on the ark’s side.