pathway

noun

path·​way ˈpath-ˌwā How to pronounce pathway (audio)
ˈpäth-
Synonyms of pathwaynext
1
: path, course
2
: a line of communication over interconnecting neurons extending from one organ or center to another
also : a network of interconnecting neurons along which a nerve impulse travels
3
: the sequence of usually enzyme-catalyzed reactions by which one substance is converted into another
metabolic pathways

Synonyms of pathway

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Examples of pathway in a Sentence

We walked along a winding pathway. we parked our car near a rambling pathway that led down to the pond
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Flowers are typically the next item added and it is believed that the strong floral scents act as a pathway for ancestors to follow to find us. — Zayda Rivera, Parents, 29 Oct. 2026 And more than anything, offer as many people as possible a pathway to citizenship. — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026 Research shows that belly breathing increases parasympathetic regulation of the heart through vagal pathways, helping the body settle into a calmer state. — Juli Fraga, Time, 29 Oct. 2026 Home listings on Zillow mentioning sensory gardens and pathways jumped 314% in 2024 over the previous year, a surge that puts the quiet backyard idea squarely in the mainstream. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pathway

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pathway was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing pathway

Rhymes for pathway

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Browse Nearby Words

path-reversal principle
pathway
-pathy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pathway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathway. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pathway

noun
path·​way ˈpath-ˌwā How to pronounce pathway (audio)
ˈpȧth-
: path

Medical Definition

pathway

noun
path·​way ˈpath-ˌwā, ˈpȧth- How to pronounce pathway (audio)
1
: a line of communication over interconnecting neurons extending from one organ or center to another
also : a network of interconnecting neurons along which a nerve impulse travels
2
: the sequence of usually enzyme-catalyzed reactions by which one substance is converted into another
metabolic pathways
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