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

Coit Lane is a one-way street, so there is not much through traffic. — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026

There are very few weapons in the modern day and age that have become as popular as the Shahed-136 one-way attack UAV. — Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026

With no immediate takers on a documentary pitch her team put together, Rice has mulled booking a one-way ticket to Dubai and showing up at the last hotel McDonnell was known to be living at to close the loop on the story herself. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026

However, the Virgin Atlantic and Flying Blue fees can be exceptionally high at $700 to $1,000 one-way, and the points price on return flights is much higher. — Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 10 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