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

Fans’ access to athletes contributes to what is called a parasocial relationship, defined by one-way knowing, said Gayle Stever, a professor at Empire State University who has studied the dynamics between celebrities and fans for decades. — Kaitlyn Huamani, Fortune, 13 July 2026

As of Sunday, people who have monitored the facility’s entrance since last summer told the Herald that the black-and-gold Florida Highway Patrol vehicles, which had been parked at the one-way entrance with their blue sirens flashing, had left. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026

Orientalism, the show suggests, wasn’t a one-way street but a traffic in misappropriation. — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

Environmental groups have argued the Antiquities Act is a one-way road that allows presidents to create but not undo monuments. — ABC News, 13 July 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