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

As the plane circled and prepared to return to the airport and emergency crews assembled, operations workers found the remains of the birds on the runway. — Amanda Jackson, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

An elevated take on the closet staple button-down, the Eli Oversized Shirt is a versatile essential to pair with just about everything while still feeling runway-ready. — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026

During L’Oréal’s Paris Fashion Week show in October 2023, the family of three made a stylish appearance to walk the runway. — Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026

Two pilots died, and dozens of people were injured after an Air Canada plane and a Port Authority emergency truck collided on a runway. — Tim McNicholas, CBS News, 11 Aug. 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