runway

[ruhn-wey]

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.

runway

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of runway¹

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

Example Sentences

Marines were at the airport on the island working on its radar, runway and road, according to an announcement that followed a Tuesday visit by Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"I thought Bones always devoured the runway, they have such a great presence whenever they hit the stage," he said.

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“At this point ‘Stranger Things’ behaves less like a series and more like a brand, and that means its financial runway extends well beyond the finale,” said Bonnell.

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What is also clear is that less frequent financial reporting could create a longer runway for bad actors within publicly traded companies.

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In 1971, he moved his family to the Chicago suburb of Downers Grove, where his home was adjacent to a runway and he had a hangar to store his planes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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