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

One is a longer gown that appeared on the Paris Fashion Week runway. —Charna Flam, People.com, 14 May 2025

The failures have highlighted inadequacies of current radar systems that are supposed to work together to provide air traffic controllers a comprehensive view of all activity on the runways and over airspace. —Vanessa Romo, NPR, 14 May 2025

On May 10, Pakistan issued a notice for Rahim Yar Khan air base saying that the runway was not operational. —Agnes Chang, New York Times, 14 May 2025

Hadid returned to the runway, following a short hiatus, for Saint Laurent during Paris Fashion Week last March. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 13 May 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