airway

noun

air·​way ˈer-ˌwā 

1

: a passage for a current of air (as in a mine or to the lungs)

2

: a designated route along which airplanes fly from airport to airport

especially : such a route equipped with navigational aids

3

: airline

4

: a channel of a designated radio frequency for broadcasting or other radio communication

Examples of airway in a Sentence

a patient with a partially blocked airway

Recent Examples on the Web

Maintenance inhalers are either long-acting airway dilators or anti-inflammatory medications like steroids that patients should take daily. — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 5 July 2026

The bacterial throat infection, which can block the airway, led to 8,000 to 12,000 deaths per year, mortality data highlights. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

The process involved suctioning the newborn's airway and stimulating him. — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Inhaling hot gases from a fire can damage the airway and lungs. — Jack Dura, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing airway

• bilevel positive airway pressure
• continuous positive airway pressure

Rhymes for airway

• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

airway

noun

air·​way -ˌwā 

1

: a passage for a current of air

especially : one through which air passes to and from the lungs

2

: a regular route for aircraft

especially : one equipped with aids for guiding aircraft

3

: airline

Medical Definition

airway

noun

air·​way -ˌwā 

: a passageway for air into or out of the lungs

specifically : a device passed into the trachea by way of the mouth or nose or through an incision to maintain a clear respiratory passageway (as during anesthesia, convulsions, or in obstructive laryngitis) see upper airway