airway

noun

air·way | \ -ˌwā

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

Examples of airway in a Sentence

a patient with a partially blocked airway

Recent Examples on the Web

The ozone, sulfur and nitrogen compounds, and fine particles that comprise this pollution can inflame airways, which in turn can trigger breathing issues and heart problems, and exacerbate illnesses. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "How improving air quality could add years to people’s lives around the world.," 21 Nov. 2018 The device identifies fine particles in the air that are small enough to get into your airways and uses that information to determine a room's PM2.5 level, or the amount of particulate matter in the air. — Jessica Leigh Mattern, Woman's Day, "You Can Use This New Device to Test the Air Quality in Your Home For Free," 17 Mar. 2016 The medicine has a rapid onset and short duration, and works by reducing airway swelling and increasing blood flow in the veins. — Thomas M. Burton, WSJ, "FDA Approves Teva’s Generic Version of EpiPen Injector," 16 Aug. 2018 Areen Chakrabarti succumbed to smoke inhalation in a fire, while Jayden Auyeung’s airway became blocked as the result of a grave disease of the nervous system. — Tom Avril, Philly.com, "At CHOP, two boys were diagnosed with brain death. Here's what that means," 24 May 2018 Inspire, an implanted device that acts a pacemaker of sorts for the tongue, pushing it forward to open up the airway and allow for unobstructed breathing. — Shari Rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, "Apnea woes? New implanted device may restore uninterrupted sleep," 27 Mar. 2018 But asthma can also cause chest pain and tightness due to airway inflammation, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). — Cassie Shortsleeve, SELF, "Is Your Chest Pain Physical or Mental?," 14 Nov. 2018 Firefighter and paramedic Lauren Moths demonstrates the Menomonee Falls Fire Department's latest tool: A video laryngoscope, which allows first responders to see into a patient's airway to more accurately insert a breathing tube. — Tyler Langan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "First Choice Ingredients donates video laryngoscopes to Menomonee Falls Fire Department," 25 Apr. 2018 The fluffy-robed, petal-scented beautifiers, and the sulfuric science labs that open airways, clear orifices, aid ailments and generally get stuff done. — Gemma Askham, Condé Nast Traveler, "5 Best Day Trips from Barcelona," 4 Mar. 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.

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Last Updated

21 Dec 2018

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Time Traveler for airway

The first known use of airway was in 1800

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More Definitions for airway

airway

noun

English Language Learners Definition of airway

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

See the full definition for airway in the English Language Learners Dictionary

airway

noun

air·way | \ ˈer-ˌwā

Kids Definition of airway

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

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