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

Those who arrive legally will face a ten-year pathway to permanent settlement, double the current wait. —Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 16 Nov. 2025

By enabling the exclusive chemical recycling of PET from various plastic wastes, this approach provides a practical and efficient pathway to recover valuable chemical building blocks. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 16 Nov. 2025

These talent acquisitions come with access to deeper engineering pools and immigration systems with clearer pathways. —Ivan Houlihan, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2025

Senate Republicans’ refusal now leaves no clear pathway to redistricting before midterms. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 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