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

Instead, the plane hit a light stanchion, sheared off the tops of some trees and burst into flames well short of the runway. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2026

Williams even walked the runway for the DSquared2 show during Men's Fashion Week in Milan. —Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026

Even with Giannis, does Dunleavy think this group has enough to make a real push in the Western Conference playoffs, or would the Warriors be better served waiting until the summer and having more runway to build a deeper team around the combination of Steph and Giannis leading into next season? —Nick Friedell, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026

But the runways offered a respite. —Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 30 Jan. 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