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noun Uncommon

airway

EH-uh-way

Airway (noun) means the passage in the body, especially the throat and windpipe, through which air travels to the lungs. Example: “The paramedic checked that the patient's airway was clear.”

noun
1
The passage in the body, especially the throat and windpipe, through which air travels to the lungs.
"The paramedic checked that the patient's airway was clear."
2
A designated route in the sky that aircraft follow.
"The plane joined a busy airway shortly after takeoff."

How to Use Airway

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the passage air travels through in your throat and lungs, or a defined flight route in the sky.

Common pairings
clear the airway a blocked airway an established airway

Word Forms

airways plural

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Test yourself on “airway” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

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The paramedic checked that the patient's _____ was clear.

Etymology

From air + way, first describing a route through the sky and later extended to the body's breathing passage.

Rhymes for airway

See all rhymes for airway →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “airway” mean?

The word “airway” means the passage in the body, especially the throat and windpipe, through which air travels to the lungs. In plain terms, either the passage air travels through in your throat and lungs, or a defined flight route in the sky.

How do you pronounce “airway”?

“Airway” is pronounced EH-uh-way (/ˈɛɚ.weɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “airway” in a sentence?

Here is “airway” used in a sentence: “The paramedic checked that the patient's airway was clear.”

What part of speech is “airway”?

“Airway” is a noun.

Is “airway” a common word?

“Airway” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “airway” have?

“Airway” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the passage in the body, especially the throat and windpipe, through which air travels to the lungs.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial