airway

noun air·way \ -ˌwā \

|Updated on: 17 Aug 2018

Definition of airway

1 : a passage for a current of air (as in a mine or to the lungs)

2 : a designated route along which airplanes fly from airport to airport; especially : such a route equipped with navigational aids

3 : airline

4 : a channel of a designated radio frequency for broadcasting or other radio communication

See airway defined for English-language learners

See airway defined for kids

Examples of airway in a Sentence

a patient with a partially blocked airway

Recent Examples of airway from the Web

The pencil eraser-size valves expand and seal the airways, shrinking diseased areas of the lungs so healthier regions can expand and function better.

— marie mccullough, Philly.com, "Emphysema patients get new option as FDA approves lung valves studied at Temple," 29 June 2018
Smock told the jury Hernandez’s death was from a combination of the restriction of his airway, a lack of blood flow to the brain, as well as his inability to breathe while he was pinned to the ground.

— brian rogers, Houston Chronicle, "Prosecution expected to rest in murder trial over choking death of Houston man outside local restaurant," 20 June 2018
Asthma impacts your airways, which extend between your nose and mouth to your lungs, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

— korin miller, SELF, "5 Types of Asthma That Might Completely Surprise You," 4 May 2018
Right on cue, the muscles surrounding your airways can constrict, too.

— korin miller, SELF, "What’s an Asthma Exacerbation? (Because It Sounds Really Scary.)," 11 July 2018
Because his airway was blocked, Lee Gudeman collapsed on the floor.

— amy lavalley, Post-Tribune, "Choking victim reunites with lifesaver nurse at Valparaiso restaurant: 'Because of you, I'm still alive'," 3 July 2018
On May 4, Jayden Auyeung, who suffered from a genetic motor disease, was at his Edison, N.J., home when his airway became blocked.

— mari a. schaefer, Philly.com, "Declared brain dead almost 5 years ago, Calif. teen's life finally ends in N.J.," 29 June 2018
Overmyer opened an airway that allowed Iovinelli to breathe while waiting for emergency help to arrive, Puknaitis said.

— rafael guerrero, Naperville Sun, "Naperville paramedic recognized for off-duty rescue of retired Franklin Park fire chief," 20 June 2018
Officers Malikul Aziz and Shaquille Johnson of the 2nd Precinct arrived and quickly performed first aid on the girl, clearing her airways.

— joel langstein, Fox News, "Body-cam footage shows New Jersey cops saving girl, 2, who nearly drowned," 10 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'airway.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of airway

1800

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Aeronautics/Aerospace Terms

apron, corridor, dirigible, fishtail, flat-hat, vector

AIRWAY Defined for English Language Learners

airway

noun

Definition of airway for English Language Learners

medical : the area in the throat through which air passes to and from the lungs
: a route along which airplanes regularly fly
—used in the names of some airlines

AIRWAY Defined for Kids

airway

noun air·way \ ˈer-ˌwā \

Definition of airway for Students

1 : the passage through which air moves from the nose or mouth to the lungs in breathing

2 : a route along which airplanes regularly fly

3 : airline

Medical Dictionary

airway

noun air·way \ -ˌwā \

medical Definition of airway

: a passageway for air into or out of the lungs; specifically : a device passed into the trachea by way of the mouth or nose or through an incision to maintain a clear respiratory passageway (as during anesthesia, convulsions, or in obstructive laryngitis) — see upper airway