fairway

American  

[fair-wey] / ˈfɛərˌweɪ /

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.

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fairway British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of fairway

1515–25; 1905–10 fairway for def. 2; fair ¹ + way ¹

Explanation

The fairway is part of a golf course, close to the tee. A fairway provides golfers with the easiest surface for hitting the ball. A golf course fairway is distinguished by its short, even grass and location between the tee and the green. It's a fairly simple area from which to hit the ball. Another meaning of fairway shares this easy, effortless quality: a regular, well-known course that a ship takes through the water. In the 1580s, fairway was used to mean "navigational channel of a river," and it gained the golfing sense at the end of the 19th century.

Example Sentences

Go to a course and play for real, or just drop a ball on a spot that looks good in the fairway.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Jack Nicklaus had a warning for all the fans who lined the fairway to watch his ceremonial tee shot Thursday at the Masters.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

“I didn’t try to get the tee down and hit fairway finders. I just trusted that eventually I’ll start to make some good swings. So that was a little bit different.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

The shortform spectacle demonstrated once again that the annual pilgrimage to Augusta National is not all about stressing over fairway lies and pin positions.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Abby’s booth was across the fairway from mine.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry