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

Try the look with one of the all-black ’fits that came down the runway. —Irene Kim, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2026

Meanwhile, members of Blackpink have helped expand K-pop’s scope, projecting Korea’s already glittering brand onto Paris runways, acting as brand ambassadors for Chanel and Dior and helping K-pop evolve in the American imagination from a niche boy-band phenomenon into a broader cultural engine. —Dan Bilefsky, HollywoodReporter, 21 Mar. 2026

Good for her, though — those runway packages aren’t cheap. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2026

These types of judgments can often be renewed, giving creditors an extended runway to pursue garnishment even on very old debt. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for runway

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

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