fairway

noun

fair·​way ˈfer-ˌwā 

1

a

: a navigable part of a river, bay, or harbor

b

: an open path or space

2

: the closely mowed part of a golf course between a tee and a green

Examples of fairway in a Sentence

Her shot landed at the left side of the fairway.

Recent Examples on the Web

Chicago filmmaker Scott Goldstein grew up visiting his grandparents’ home on the Tamarisk Country Club golf course in Rancho Mirage, Calif., beneath the stunning San Jacinto mountains and across the fairway from an architectural marvel, Richard Neutra’s Maslon House. —Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Feb. 2025

How else to explain Jordan Spieth hooking a 3-wood 65 yards to the left from the 13th fairway? —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025

The device is particularly handy when golf carts are restricted from fairways, common during Florida’s wetter months and on many par-3s. —Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2025

Watch each week as the PGA pros fire for more birdies, and fans shoot for more fairways and greens in pursuit of profit while watching and wagering on golf. —Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for fairway

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

Kids Definition

fairway

noun

fair·​way ˈfa(ə)r-ˌwā 

ˈfe(ə)r-

: the mowed part of a golf course between a tee and a green