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

While the Vikings didn’t necessarily want to move Greenard, this outcome provided the team with extra draft capital and more financial flexibility, as well as a runway for third-year edge rusher Dallas Turner to continue to ascend. —Jeff Howe, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026

With a few runway walks under her belt, the eldest daughter of Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban is no stranger to a glam gown — or working all her angles in one. —Lindy Segal, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026

Nothing reminded me of that as much as when Kimi and Myka, after doing runway walks in their hairnets and drab white protective garments, shoveled the graves of whey out of a slurry and pitched them into a giant bin. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026

The resort 2027 runway show will mark the second time Max Mara has shown in the Chinese city. —Sandra Salibian For Wwd, ARTnews.com, 24 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