1
: that moves in or allows movement in only one direction
a one-way street
2
: one-sided, unilateral
a one-way conversation
3
: that functions in only one of two or more ways

Examples of one-way in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The moves left the Sharks with eight defensemen, including Thrun, on one-way contracts. Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 11 July 2025 More than once, friends have asked whether there’s any benefit in buying a round-trip ticket versus two one-way tickets. Zach Wichter, USA Today, 10 July 2025 The price for a one-way ticket to Marsh Harbour starts at $350. Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 10 July 2025 The Jacksonville Jaguars’ owner Shahid Khan, 74, arrived in the U.S. at age 16, using most of his family’s savings on a one-way trip to the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. Matt Durot, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for one-way

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of one-way was in 1824

Cite this Entry

“One-way.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/one-way. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

one-way

adjective
1
: moving or allowing movement in one direction only
2

More from Merriam-Webster on one-way

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