give way

phrase

1

a

: retreat

b

: to yield the right of way

2

: to yield oneself without restraint or control

3

a

: to yield to or as if to physical stress

The roof gave way under heavy snow.

b

: to yield to entreaty or insistence

After several hours of debate, the opposition finally gave way.

4

: to yield place

Farmland has given way to shopping malls.

5

: to begin to row

Examples of give way in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nearby, sleek seaside city La Marsa gives way to the historically working-class neighborhood of Bhar Lazreg, where artists and makers have been repurposing spaces. — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026

That breakout quickly failed, however, and gave way to a bearish pattern that broke down aggressively two weeks ago. — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 13 Nov. 2026

This feeling soon gave way to doubt and a growing sense of complicity. — Eyal Press, New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2026

Venice’s small restaurants, bars and shops are giving way to chains. — Dave Schilling, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for give way

• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway