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

On Sunday, Kith returned to the runway for the first time in six years with a show titled Institution. —Essence, 18 Aug. 2025

It’s got rugged landing gear that can handle open fields or beaches, and is designed to take off in under 1,500 feet, less than a third of the length of runways at small airports. —Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025

Trump is expected to greet him directly on the runway at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, marking the start of a high-stakes summit focused on the war in Ukraine. —Hannah Parry amanda Castro shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025

An extensive motorcade also waited for the U.S. official and his family on the runway. —Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for runway

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

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