airway

American  

[air-wey] / ˈɛərˌweɪ /

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.

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airway British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of airway

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

Example Sentences

The condition, which is often mistaken for asthma, involves inflammation and scar tissue build-up in the airway.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2025

The condition means her airway is too small, making it difficult for her to breathe, and has led to repeated hospital stays throughout her life.

From BBC • Dec. 13, 2025

Patients with asthma showed a median 56% reduction in fractional exhaled nitric oxide, indicating reduced airway inflammation.

From Barron's • Dec. 8, 2025

Using continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, can help lower that risk by improving sleep quality and maintaining steady airflow throughout the night.

From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2025

“It says this, and I quote: ‘The presence of foam in the airway and around the lips and nose indicates beyond doubt that the victim was alive at the time of submersion.’

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson