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

Drone activity prompted at least one airport – New York’s Stewart International Airport – to temporarily close its runways for about an hour on Friday night. —Zoe Sottile, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024

The airport’s runway was closed for about 10 minutes, the port authority said. —Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024

Hochul said runways at the Stewart International Airport in New Windsor were shut down for roughly an hour Friday night because of drone activity in the airspace. —Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 14 Dec. 2024

Appearing on Reverie by Caroline Hu’s Spring Summer 25 runway, the mini capsule features two products: a model showcased the floral phone case and an oversized bow mobile phone grip stand complimenting Caroline’s signature romantic dresses. —Gemma A. Williams, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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