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

Gabbana, 63, took his customary bow at the fashion house's last runway show in February, flanked by ​Dolce, with the designers' longtime muse pop superstar Madonna, as a front-row guest. —Reuters, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026

The plane crashed about a half-mile from the runway, Charlotte Observer news partner WSOC reported. —Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2026

In that crash, an air traffic controller cleared the fire truck to cross the runway less than 20 seconds beforehand. —ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026

The city once again doubles as a living set—spanning Midtown offices, SoHo storefronts, and Brooklyn bars—while the story stretches outward to Italian villas, Long Island mansions, and real fashion week runways. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 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