runway

American  

[ruhn-wey] / ˈrʌnˌweɪ /

noun

1. a way along which something runs.

2. a paved or cleared strip on which planes land and take off.

3. a similar strip on which cars, trucks, or the like may park, load, or enter the stream of traffic.

4. the beaten track or habitual path of deer or other wild animals.

5. a fairly large enclosure in which domestic animals may range about.

   a runway for dogs.

6. the bed of a stream.

7. Bowling. approach.

8. a narrow platform or ramp extending from a stage into the orchestra pit or into an aisle, as in a theater.

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runway British  

/ ˈrʌnˌweɪ /

noun

1. a hard level roadway or other surface from which aircraft take off and on which they land

2. an enclosure for domestic animals; run

3. forestry a chute for sliding logs down

4. a narrow ramp extending from the stage into the audience in a theatre, nightclub, etc, esp as used by models in a fashion show

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Etymology

Origin of runway

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35; run + way ¹

Explanation

A runway could be for an airplane or a fashion model. It’s the strip of land a plane uses to take off and land on, or a narrow platform that a model uses to show off the latest fashions. A plane needs a runway of a certain length in order to gather enough speed to take off, and it likewise needs a long enough runway when it lands to slow down and come to a safe stop. Even the very shortest runways are more than 800 feet long — and the world's longest runway, at California's Edwards Air Force Base, is nearly 40,000 feet long. The original meaning of runway was "usual track of an animal."

Example Sentences

When the buyer’s answer isn’t good enough, Miranda is forced to find another way for Runway to forge on, amid the deafening sound of a ticking clock.

From Salon • May 6, 2026

For Meryl Streep, who plays the Anna Wintour-inspired Miranda Priestly, editor-in-chief of Runway Magazine, there was a key condition for taking part.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

Then again, they’re here aligned as champions of art, beauty and the press, standing shoulder to shoulder in the all-but-hopeless fight to protect Runway from the philistines.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

The CEO of the company behind the haute-couture magazine Runway installs her as head of features without even telling the publication’s editor, Miranda.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

The Runway Girl, in need of publicity, had telegraphed the details to her press agent, following receipt of her husband's letter telling of his exploit.

From Broken to the Plow by Dobie, Charles Caldwell

Related Words

• airstrip
• path
• platform
• ramp
• road
• tarmac