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

Unlike conventional Gerberas, these drones briefly entered Ukrainian airspace, maneuvered within the country, and then returned to Russia rather than conducting one-way strikes. — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Even after the team deliberately distorted the geometry, the one-way transport remained remarkably stable. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026

The system functions more like a ladder than a one-way pipeline. — Manny Navarro, New York Times, 31 July 2026

His troops arrived at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Louisiana’s Fort Polk in April with 500 drones – including more than 225 one-way attack systems, many of which soldiers had built themselves – and learned some things along the way. — Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 31 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