runway

noun

run·​way ˈrən-ˌwā 

1

a

: a beaten path made by animals

b

: a passageway for animals

2

: a paved strip of ground on a landing field for the landing and takeoff of aircraft

3

a

: a narrow platform from a stage into an auditorium

b

: a platform along which models walk in a fashion show

4

: run sense 10b

5

: the area or path along which a jumper, pole-vaulter, or javelin thrower runs

Examples of runway in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Five people were hospitalized after a small plane skidded off a runway into a body of water at the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport in North Bend on Monday. —Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025

Plaids were also prominent on the runway—from New York to Paris—and resonates with the season’s tougher themes. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 8 Apr. 2025

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a small jet went off the runway in North Bend, Oregon, and into the water, sending five people to the hospital. —Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025

Unlike the heeled thong sandals on the runway, Erivo opted instead for a pair of teetering black pumps. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for runway

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

runway

noun

run·​way ˈrən-ˌwā 

1

: run entry 2 sense 9a

2

: a paved strip of ground (as at an airport) for the landing and takeoff of aircraft

3

: a support (as a track, pipe, or trough) on which something runs