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

The airport, which operates the single busiest runway in the U.S., was the site of a January midair collision between an American Airlines flight and an Army Black Hawk helicopter that killed 67 people.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The last was in July 2023, when a colleague complained of an acrid or vomit-like smell and was struggling to breathe as their aircraft taxied down the runway.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

American investors, meanwhile, “understand the runway and how much money you need to burn,” he said.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Model Sunday Rose walked the runway for Dior last week.

Read more on BBC

As of 5 p.m., outgoing flights at Hollywood Burbank Airport were delayed an average of two hours and 31 minutes due to staffing shortages and runway construction, according to the FAA.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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