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

Example Sentences

Using the budget of a one-way airfare, teams travel thousands of miles, working local jobs and relying on the kindness of strangers to reach checkpoints and ultimately win a cash prize.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

The low-cost drones, the first one-way attack drones the U.S. deployed in the Iran war, have roots in America’s preparation for a separate potential conflict between the U.S. and China.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Last year, he welcomed more than 300 visitors during the Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden Tour and had to set up a one-way path through the garden to help manage the crowd.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Hertz has leaned into this newfound demand, offering 25% discounts on one-way and last-minute rentals.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

“That would earn you a one-way ticket to a boarding school in India.”

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed

Related Words

• fee
• gift
• money
• perk
• reward