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

Healthcare should continue to move on administrative use cases, and invest the runway now in the data integration, bias auditing, and human-in-the-loop architecture that clinical adoption will require. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 2 May 2026

Instead, the plane skidded on its belly, overran the runway and hit a concrete wall experts said should never have been there. —James Glanz, New York Times, 1 May 2026

Leto’s avant-garde accessory was inspired by the viral moment when designer Alessandro Michele had some models carry realistic versions of their own heads down the runway during Gucci’s fall 2018 ready-to-wear show. —Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 1 May 2026

Cinergy held a premiere night tonight for moviegoing members with a red carpet, prosecco greeting, paparazzi-style photos, and guests in full runway looks. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 May 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