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

There are major discounts up to 60% off some of the top pieces on our wish lists, like the Proenza Schouler peacoat that walked the runway and Manolo Blahnik ballet flats. —Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2024

The couple even walked the runway together in February 2023 for a charity fashion show hosted by Off the Field, the official organization of the NFL Wives Association. —Kelsey Lentz, People.com, 25 Dec. 2024

The plane’s landing assistance system, which used radio waves to measure the plane’s relative distance to the runway, had been improved so dramatically that it was being used as a rudimentary navigation device. —Justin Ling, WIRED, 23 Dec. 2024

Calvin Klein will return to the New York runway in February after a six-and-a-half-year hiatus. —Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 20 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