airway

[ air-wey ]

noun

1. an air route equipped with emergency landing fields, beacon lights, radio beams, etc.
2. a passageway by which air passes from the nose or mouth to the air sacs of the lungs.
3. Medicine/Medical. a tubelike device used to maintain adequate, unobstructed respiration, as during general anesthesia.
4. any passage in a mine used for purposes of ventilation; an air course.
5. airways,
   1. the band of frequencies, taken collectively, used by radio broadcasting stations:

      The news was sent out over the airways immediately.

   2. airwaves.
   3. airline ( def 1c ).

airway

/ ˈɛəˌweɪ /

noun

1. an air route, esp one that is fully equipped with emergency landing fields, navigational aids, etc
2. a passage for ventilation, esp in a mine
3. a passage down which air travels from the nose or mouth to the lungs
4. med a tubelike device inserted via the throat to keep open the airway of an unconscious patient

Word History and Origins

Origin of airway¹

First recorded in 1905–10; air ¹ + way ¹

Example Sentences

This strain of enterovirus seems unusually provocative in irritating lower airways, thereby causing airway narrowing.

From The Daily Beast

Snoring is a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, when your airway collapses or becomes blocked during sleep.

From The Daily Beast

We cant get out this way, said Tom; well have to go up through the airway.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, with a glance at the sleeping boy, Come ye up the airway a bit.

From Project Gutenberg

If you are unable to obtain an effective airway, then the other procedures are to be of no avail.

From Project Gutenberg

The cuff is a small latex cuff which should prevent leakage of air around the tube, thus insuring an adequate airway.

From Project Gutenberg

This is a plastic tube which is inserted into the trachea, into the windpipe, to allow an adequate airway, adequate breathing.

From Project Gutenberg