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

The incident is the latest in a troubling series of close calls in the air and on runways in recent years, raising questions about the health of the U.S. aviation system. —Joel Rose, NPR, 14 Jan. 2025

Resplendent gowns, see-through ensembles, and more hit the runway too. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 14 Jan. 2025

The Council of Fashion Designers of America has released the preliminary Official New York Fashion Week Schedule for the fall 2025 runway season. —Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 14 Jan. 2025

The plane hit a concrete embankment upon landing and aviation experts have said that many airports do not have these kinds of structures so close to runways. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025

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