pathway

noun path·way \ ˈpath-ˌwā , ˈpäth- \

|Updated on: 16 Jul 2018

Definition of pathway

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

See pathway defined for English-language learners

See pathway defined for kids

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 of pathway from the Web

The show traces the street's history back to Augustus Woodward, the first judge of the Michigan territory, who arrived in 1805 and devised an interlocking hexagon plan of pathways for downtown Detroit.

— julie hinds, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit's Woodward Ave. chosen as one of 10 streets that changed America," 6 July 2018
Zion National Park’s trail to Emerald Pools was closed for seven years until last July, when a private grant of $1 million from the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation supplied the funds to open the pathway, hopefully by the end of 2019.

— j. weston phippen, Outside Online, "The Terrible State of Our National Parks—in Photos," 5 July 2018
Adding a young wing who has a variety of pathways to being successful is a sensible decision.

— will mccollister, SI.com, "Wizards Select Troy Brown with No. 15 Pick in 2018 NBA Draft," 21 June 2018
Both of those pathways could help keep blood sugar levels in check.

— alexandra sifferlin, Time, "There’s Hope for a Vaccine to Prevent Type 1 Diabetes," 21 June 2018
Gwinnett recently unveiled a draft Countywide Trails Master Plan envisioning a network of county trails connected to city and community improvement district trails to create a seamless, interconnected web of bike and pedestrian pathways.

— karen huppertz, ajc, "Gwinnett trails master plan unveiled for review," 27 Feb. 2018
The Broad Institute’s visualization of the map, simplified here, illuminates both the complexity and interconnectedness of the genetic pathways that fuel tumor growth.

— linda marsa, Discover Magazine, "Mapping the Monsters," 1 Feb. 2018
There’s been a lot of great pathways into telling [our stories].

— jessica militare, Glamour, "One Year After the Women's March: Cecile Richards, Amber Tamblyn, and Women's March Organizers on What to Focus On in 2018," 16 Jan. 2018
Students had completed the most career pathways of any previous class, had won Eastern Conference and state athletic championships as well as music festival awards and trophies.

— denise coffey, Courant Community, "KHS Graduates Told To Never Give Up," 26 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pathway.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of pathway

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

pathway Synonyms

Synonyms

footpath, path, trace, track, trail;

Related Words

bridle path;

towpath;

alley, alleyway, bypath, byroad, bystreet, byway, passageway, walkway;

cutoff, shortcut;

lane, pass, passage, road, roadway, route, row, run, runway, street, thoroughfare;

PATHWAY Defined for Kids

pathway

noun path·way \ ˈpath-ˌwā , ˈpäth- \

Definition of pathway for Students

: path 1

Medical Dictionary

pathway

noun path·way \ ˈpath-ˌwā, ˈpȧth- \

medical Definition of pathway

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