pathway

noun

path·​way ˈpath-ˌwā 

ˈpäth-

1

: path, course

2

: a line of communication over interconnecting neurons extending from one organ or center to another

also : a network of interconnecting neurons along which a nerve impulse travels

3

: the sequence of usually enzyme-catalyzed reactions by which one substance is converted into another

metabolic pathways

Synonyms

• footpath
• path
• trace
• track
• trail

Examples of pathway in a Sentence

We walked along a winding pathway.

we parked our car near a rambling pathway that led down to the pond

Recent Examples on the Web

Turn your porch into a calming oasis with twinkling fairy lights, or upgrade your front yard with in-ground pathway lighting or solar sconces. —Emily Weaver, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025

The approval of this test opens the pathway for more at-home STI testing in the future, said the statement. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025

This conversion can happen through a series of steps, like the natural metabolic pathways in the body. —New Atlas, 28 Mar. 2025

Hopcroft spotted the then 13-year-old and presented plans to his family, detailing the pathway and the logistics of travelling the three-hour round-trip drive between Bristol and Birmingham. —Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pathway

• neural pathway

Rhymes for pathway

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

pathway

noun

path·​way ˈpath-ˌwā 

ˈpȧth-

: path

Medical Definition

pathway

noun

path·​way ˈpath-ˌwā, ˈpȧth- 

1

: a line of communication over interconnecting neurons extending from one organ or center to another

also : a network of interconnecting neurons along which a nerve impulse travels

2

: the sequence of usually enzyme-catalyzed reactions by which one substance is converted into another

metabolic pathways