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

Song anticipates that Replimune’s current cash runway will last the company until the first quarter of 2027.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

Within hours, 43 new products seen on the runway were available to buy online and in Gucci’s main flagships across Europe and Japan, as well as in a significant number of U.S. stores.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

The collaboration follows Reese’s runway debut at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in October, where she was the first professional athlete ever to walk the show.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

“Satuday Night Live” has since parodied Clavicular in a “Weekend Update” sketch, and the streamer also made his runway debut in February at New York Fashion Week.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

“Angel 5! Angel 5!” he said, “plane down in area approximately ten miles east of runway in the Combahee Island area!”

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Related Words

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