runway

noun

run·​way ˈrən-ˌwā How to pronounce runway (audio)
Synonyms of runwaynext
1
a
: a beaten path made by animals
b
: a passageway for animals
2
: a paved strip of ground on a landing field for the landing and takeoff of aircraft
3
a
: a narrow platform from a stage into an auditorium
b
: a platform along which models walk in a fashion show
4
: run sense 10b
5
: the area or path along which a jumper, pole-vaulter, or javelin thrower runs

Examples of runway in a Sentence

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.
Taylor’s look follows a burgeoning trend of sculptural looks on the runway and the red carpet. — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026 Kloss, a model, walked the runway that night, while Swift performed with Fall Out Boy. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 6 July 2026 In addition to tapping her to make jewelry for that collection, Anderson also displayed several of her sculptures as part of the runway show. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 6 July 2026 Commercially, however, Louis Vuitton’s offerings positioned the brand as a global luxury powerhouse, with the runway becoming a source of entertainment. — Laia Farran Graves, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for runway

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of runway was in 1828

Rhymes for runway

See All Rhymes for runway

Browse Nearby Words

run upon
runway
run wild
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Runway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runway. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

runway

noun
run·​way ˈrən-ˌwā How to pronounce runway (audio)
1
: run entry 2 sense 9a
2
: a paved strip of ground (as at an airport) for the landing and takeoff of aircraft
3
: a support (as a track, pipe, or trough) on which something runs

More from Merriam-Webster on runway

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for runway

Nglish: Translation of runway for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about runway

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All