one-way

adjective

ˈwən-ˈwā 

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

After a phone screening, Kyla completed a one-way virtual interview and was selected for an in-person interview, which took place at Dallas headquarters in November 2023. —Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 13 May 2025

Eno’s work led to the first traffic circles, one-way streets, traffic lights, medians for pedestrian safety, the hard angle for left turns and the norm of passing on the right. —Katy Knight, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025

Travel + Leisure spotted one-way fares as low as $199 for the new route on Delta's website, with availability throughout the summer and fall. —Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2025

Trump's policies empower businesses to invest, hire, and compete, reminding the world that trade must be fair—not a one-way street benefiting Beijing at the expense of the Ohio River Valley. —Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for one-way

• aaa
• adonais
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Kids Definition

one-way

adjective

1

: moving or allowing movement in one direction only

2

: one-sided sense 1b