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

Operations at the airport resumed at 5 p.m. local time although two of the five runways remain closed. —Tiffany May, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025

It had been worn on the runway worn by model Liisa Winkler. —Mikelle Street, WWD, 18 Feb. 2025

Visibility was 6 miles with a runway visual range of 3000-6000 feet with an improving trend. —Ramon Padilla, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025

Instead, the audience is arranged in the round observing a traverse-style black runway staging with changing, minimal locations being lifted up through the floor on hydraulics. —David Benedict, Variety, 18 Feb. 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