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 of pathway

• path
• footpath
• 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 nearly eight-mile lakefront pathway connects Canal Park to Brighton Beach (Kitchi Gammi Park), providing walkers, joggers, and bikers with plenty of fresh air and spectacular Lake Superior views. —Jacqueline Kehoe, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2025

While admitted cheaters were offered a pathway back into the seven-year program, some students say they were swept up in the scandal and wrongly accused in a flawed investigation. —Mahsa Saeidi, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025

Sophia Miller, Northeast High School Northeast High School sophomore Sophia Miller was nominated by her Health Science pathway teacher as a role model for all students. —Kenya Anderson, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Nov. 2025

Those spoke to agreed that the mixed messaging from Washington — including a range of efforts by Republicans in Congress to end all immigration, amend visa programs, or create easier pathways to citizenship — is not helping anyone, including American citizens. —Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 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