fairway

[ fair-wey ]

noun

1. an unobstructed passage, way, or area.
2. Golf.
   1. the part of the course where the grass is cut short between the tees and the putting greens, exclusive of the rough, trees, and hazards:

      More important than long drives is keeping your ball on the fairway.

   2. the mowed part of any hole between the tee and the green:

      The foursome is now on the tenth fairway.

3. Nautical.
   1. the navigable portion of a river, harbor, or other partly enclosed body of water.
   2. the channel customarily navigated by vessels in such a body of water.

fairway

/ ˈfɛəˌweɪ /

noun

1. (on a golf course) the areas of shorter grass between the tees and greens, esp the avenue approaching a green bordered by rough
2. nautical
   1. the navigable part of a river, harbour, etc
   2. the customary course followed by vessels

Word History and Origins

Origin of fairway¹

1515–25; 1905–10 fairway fordef 2; fair ¹ + way ¹

Example Sentences

The lack of opportunity left him frustrated, and every Sunday, he would find himself flushing those feelings away on the fairway.

From Los Angeles Times

A few men in from the fairways drank beer at a nearby table.

From Los Angeles Times

Suddenly McIlroy could win with a birdie at the last and was standing in the middle of the closing fairway.

From BBC

The next morning, a jogger spotted Ogden’s body on the fairway of the fourth hole.

From Los Angeles Times

Other presidents, including Barack Obama, also had a penchant for the fairway while in office.

From BBC