airway

noun

air·​way ˈer-ˌwā 

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

However, in a person with PCD, those threadlike structures can beat abnormally, hindering airway clearance and contributing to recurrent respiratory infections. — Molly Finlay, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026

Polidore worked to clear Emmett's airway and began ventilating him. — Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 14 Sep. 2026

So, this is not just the airways, but also the digestive tract, in the esophagus. — Angelica Stabile , Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026

This can lead to numerous health problems, including low blood sugar, fragile bones, traumatic injuries, congenital heart, airway and eye problems and even hydrocephalus, where excess fluid puts pressure on their brain. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing airway

• bilevel positive airway pressure
• continuous positive airway pressure

Rhymes for airway

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

Kids Definition

airway

noun

air·​way -ˌwā 

1

: a passage for a current of air

especially : one through which air passes to and from the lungs

2

: a regular route for aircraft

especially : one equipped with aids for guiding aircraft

3

: airline

Medical Definition

airway

noun

air·​way -ˌwā 

: 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