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 ( def 17b ).
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

Back then — I don’t even know if they still do this — they had these big flatscreens in the stores playing the runway show on loop.

From Los Angeles Times

These were worn on the runway — Spring/Summer 2001 Gucci by Tom Ford.

From Los Angeles Times

Musk has been photographed inside the private club with his son and on the runway of Palm Beach International Airport, as he shuttles back and forth to be by the president-elect’s side.

From BBC

A carpet of palm trees has made way for the runway, which stretches along the spine of the north island between the two main villages - La Fourche in the north and Vingt-Cinq further south.

From BBC

Night operations are not permitted at the tiny, single-runway airport because of unsafe conditions — there’s no air traffic controller, no evening attendants and no runway lights.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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