one-way

adjective

ˈwən-ˈwā 

1

: that moves in or allows movement in only one direction

a one-way street

2

: one-sided, unilateral

a one-way conversation

3

: that functions in only one of two or more ways

Examples of one-way in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Per the Tallahassee Democrat, Donna and her husband were about to board a one-way flight to Vietnam, a non-extradition country, with a stop in Dubai, when she was arrested. — Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026

Empty legs are also one-way flights so passengers will need to find an alternate way back home. — Elliott Harrell, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2026

Zadorov is one of nine Boston blueliners on one-way contracts in 2026-27. — Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

After 49 years in America, Park packed his life into two suitcases and a golf bag and boarded a one-way flight to South Korea, leaving behind his two children, a son, 29, and a daughter, 25. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for one-way

• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Kids Definition

one-way

adjective

1

: moving or allowing movement in one direction only

2

: one-sided sense 1b