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

He pointed to data released last June by UL Standards & Engagement, a US-based non-profit safety organisation, which said there were two flights per week on average in 2024 with a "thermal runway incident".

From BBC • May 25, 2026

“Industry” “With a number of the usual suspects not in contention this year, the runway is wide open for new shows like ‘Pluribus’ and ‘Task’ to pick up nominations.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

Crucially for investors, Immunovant believes its cash position provides sufficient runway to fund the launch of IMVT-1402 for Graves’ disease.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

Such is compounding on a long runway to retirement.

From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026

In the first light, Bull taxied his plane to the end of the runway, looking back to see the long line of F-8’s following behind him.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Related Words

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