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

Besides Waight-Keller, other examples of runway designers pivoting to the high street are Zac Posen, now at Gap; Jonathan Saunders, recently named chief creative officer at & Other Stories, and Aaron Esh, taking on a similar role at AllSaints. —Miles Socha, Footwear News, 19 Dec. 2025

That shift was especially apparent on the runways, where grandpa shoes abounded. —Kelsey Stewart, Glamour, 19 Dec. 2025

The holidays are set to pack runways and highways alike, with a record number of Americans on the move in late December. —Jennifer Earl, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025

All the models splash around on the watery runway, and somehow everyone is charmed by this. —Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 19 Dec. 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