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

Rihanna visits the Italian hotspot almost every single week (the pasta must be real good there), and the walk from valet parking to her regular’s table serves as her runway. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 20 Apr. 2025

What happens to that waste is rarely shown on runways or in advertising campaigns? —Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025

Mills are preparing for the recent influx of dark washes and raw denim seen on the runway to trickle into the mass market. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 17 Apr. 2025

Glass 001 Artistry Mask so fans could recreate the runway look at home). —Catherine Santino, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025

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