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

Many one-way flights cost 30,000 miles or less per person, plus taxes and fees. — Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026

Her new gig suggests a kind of reverse route for what has been until now a largely one-way train of people moving from entertainment to politics, not the other way around. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026

The ports plan to jointly spend $60 million from that fund on a per-move incentive program that would award battery-electric truck operators $60 for each one-way trip to or from the ports. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026

Many clinics require patients to show up in person every single day, with average one-way drive times approaching 50 minutes in rural communities. — Yashaswini Singh, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 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