one-way

American  

[wuhn-wey] / ˈwʌnˈweɪ /

adjective

1. moving, or allowing movement in one direction only.

   a one-way street.

2. valid for travel in one direction only.

   a one-way ticket.

3. without a reciprocal feeling, responsibility, relationship, etc..

   It's a one-way friendship.

4. not intended for return to a seller, dealer, etc., for reuse; disposable.

   one-way bottles.

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one-way British  

adjective

1. moving or allowing travel in one direction only

   one-way traffic

2. entailing no reciprocal obligation, action, etc

   a one-way agreement

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Etymology

Origin of one-way

First recorded in 1815–25

Explanation

Something that's one-way only allows movement in one direction. A one-way street is marked with an arrow, and you better follow it! All cars, bikes, and motorcycles travel in the same direction on a one-way road, and you can say that traffic on one side of a divided highway is also one-way. You might encounter a one-way door at a supermarket, or a one-way line for entering a ride at an amusement park. You can also buy a one-way ticket on a bus or airplane, instead of a round trip that includes your ticket home.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

one-way

Whether Nigel finally catches that one-way flight back to Sydney is another matter.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

A reader searching for a one-way flight from Miami to Charleston, S.C., ended up booking through a company called Flight Network instead of directly with the airline.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

That logic is a one-way ratchet toward greater A.I. risk.

From Slate ● Sep. 9, 2026

MELBOURNE, Australia — After months of buildup — and nearly 8,000 miles traveled one-way — the Super Bowl-favorite Rams will open the season against the San Francisco 49ers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

There are only one-way petitions: "Where are we going?"

From "What the Night Sings" by Vesper Stamper

Related Words

• fee
• gift
• money
• perk
• reward