pathway

noun

path·​way ˈpath-ˌwā 

ˈpäth-

1

: path, course

2

: a line of communication over interconnecting neurons extending from one organ or center to another

also : a network of interconnecting neurons along which a nerve impulse travels

3

: the sequence of usually enzyme-catalyzed reactions by which one substance is converted into another

metabolic pathways

Synonyms

• footpath
• path
• trace
• track
• trail

Examples of pathway in a Sentence

We walked along a winding pathway.

we parked our car near a rambling pathway that led down to the pond

Recent Examples on the Web

This decision accelerated efforts to dismantle the humanitarian parole pathway established under the previous administration. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025

The pathway Ghosh was asked to study occurs via several steps. —Matt Von Hippel, ArsTechnica, 23 June 2025

That is the first pathway to immediate escalation in the short term. —Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 22 June 2025

That’s the bad pathway for Iran, and it will be met with overwhelming force. —Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 22 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pathway

• neural pathway

Rhymes for pathway

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

pathway

noun

path·​way ˈpath-ˌwā 

ˈpȧth-

: path

Medical Definition

pathway

noun

path·​way ˈpath-ˌwā, ˈpȧth- 

1

: a line of communication over interconnecting neurons extending from one organ or center to another

also : a network of interconnecting neurons along which a nerve impulse travels

2

: the sequence of usually enzyme-catalyzed reactions by which one substance is converted into another

metabolic pathways