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

Strong cleaning products may irritate sensitive airways and skin. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026

Instead, chloride seemed to get caught inside the cell, which disrupted the flow of water into the airways. —Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026

Baking soda and white vinegar sprays can handle odors and light stains without introducing harsh chemicals that may irritate sensitive airways. —Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026

Gravity can cause the tongue and soft palate to fall back and obstruct the airway, making breathing harder. —Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 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
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret
• betray

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