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 Saturday, while the rain poured down outside, Marge Simpson in yellow body paint and Carrie Bradshaw with McDonald’s bag in hand (Big is moving to Paris) strutted down a makeshift runway at the new Public Hotel in West Hollywood. — Meka Boyle, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

Typically, accidents happen around takeoff or landing, according to Gorwitz, such as the Amazon cargo plane that skidded of the end of the runway in September at Miami International Airport, killing five people. — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026

Also chronicled was a 1976 runway show at the Tokyo Prince Hotel, marking the brand’s first foray into the country. — Zachary Weiss, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2026

Supporting actress is historically one of the Academy’s most fluid categories, and the placement gives Hüller a clearer runway than a lead field that is shaping up to be one of the most crowded in years. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for runway

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

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