airway

noun

air·​way ˈer-ˌwā 

1

: a passage for a current of air (as in a mine or to the lungs)

2

: a designated route along which airplanes fly from airport to airport

especially : such a route equipped with navigational aids

3

: airline

4

: a channel of a designated radio frequency for broadcasting or other radio communication

Examples of airway in a Sentence

a patient with a partially blocked airway

Recent Examples on the Web

Excess fat tissue can contribute to this collapse of the airway, so by helping people lose weight, Zepbound reduces the number of times people’s breathing becomes obstructed. —Alice Park, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024

Dentists may notice several signs in children indicating potential sleep or airway issues. —Maria Sokolina, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

In his first year of life, Elijah, 3, was diagnosed with both reactive airway disease and Factor XII Deficiency, a rare genetic disorder that affects the body’s ability to clot blood. —Fortesa Latifi, Rolling Stone, 2 Dec. 2024

That can happen as soon as two hours after ingestion and lead to perforation, vocal cord paralysis or airway erosion. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing airway

• bilevel positive airway pressure
• continuous positive airway pressure

Kids Definition

airway

noun

air·​way -ˌwā 

1

: a passage for a current of air

especially : one through which air passes to and from the lungs

2

: a regular route for aircraft

especially : one equipped with aids for guiding aircraft

3

: airline

Medical Definition

airway

noun

air·​way -ˌwā 

: a passageway for air into or out of the lungs

specifically : a device passed into the trachea by way of the mouth or nose or through an incision to maintain a clear respiratory passageway (as during anesthesia, convulsions, or in obstructive laryngitis) see upper airway