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

This means the airways were overly sensitive and prone to narrowing in response to triggers such as allergens. —New Atlas, 6 July 2025

Following an autopsy, doctors confirmed there were no signs of disease, infection, trauma, toxins or particles in his airway, which ruled out suffocation. —Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 5 July 2025

The following illustration shows what can happen to the airway with OSA: Here Are The Current Treatment Options For Obstructive Sleep Apnea All of the currently available treatment options for OSA are focused on one thing: keep that airway open as much as possible. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

Chronic Lung Diseases Brown phlegm can accompany chronic (long-lasting) conditions affecting the lungs and the airways that carry air into and out of them. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 15 June 2025

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
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret
• betray

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