runway

noun

run·​way ˈrən-ˌwā 

1

a

: a beaten path made by animals

b

: a passageway for animals

2

: a paved strip of ground on a landing field for the landing and takeoff of aircraft

3

a

: a narrow platform from a stage into an auditorium

b

: a platform along which models walk in a fashion show

4

: run sense 10b

5

: the area or path along which a jumper, pole-vaulter, or javelin thrower runs

Examples of runway in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The pilots of an Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 were blamed for crashing into a seawall in 2013, sending their jet cartwheeling down a runway in San Francisco, killing three people and injuring 187 others. — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026

On Monday, the airport still posted dozens of flight delays, and one runway still remained closed while another one was restricted. — Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026

New York Fashion Week has brought about a slew of footwear collaborations on the runway and beyond, with styles ranging from athletic to high glamour across tie-ups like Vans x SZA and Larroudé by Sergio Hudson. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026

Further strengthening the appeal of home services companies, these businesses are traditionally presented in a very fragmented market, providing investors with a unique—and valuable—opportunity for consolidation and a clear runway to scale. — Patrick Galleher, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for runway

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

Kids Definition

runway

noun

run·​way ˈrən-ˌwā 

1

: run entry 2 sense 9a

2

: a paved strip of ground (as at an airport) for the landing and takeoff of aircraft

3

: a support (as a track, pipe, or trough) on which something runs