one-way

adjective

ˈwən-ˈwā 

1

: that moves in or allows movement in only one direction

a one-way street

2

: one-sided, unilateral

a one-way conversation

3

: that functions in only one of two or more ways

Examples of one-way in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That means the event horizon is a one-way barrier for information. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 26 June 2026

If one-way traffic had a definition… Qatar offered nothing in attack or defence with 11 men and made multiple ridiculous tackles. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 24 June 2026

The Train de Merveilles runs from Nice to Tende three-times a day and takes around two hours, one-way. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 24 June 2026

Dwayne Hayes, an official from the Army's Strategic Threats Office, told participants that Russia is producing about 3,000 to 5,000 one-way attack drones, like Shaheds, per month and roughly 600,000 per month of the smaller first-person-view drones. — Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 23 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for one-way

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

Kids Definition

one-way

adjective

1

: moving or allowing movement in one direction only

2

: one-sided sense 1b