path
pahth
Path (noun) means a track or trail made for walking. Example: “We followed the muddy path down to the river after lunch.”
noun
1
A track or trail made for walking.
"We followed the muddy path down to the river after lunch."
"Children ran along the garden path, laughing, towards the gate."
"A narrow path wound through the woods."
2
A course of action or direction taken in life or in a plan.
"Taking time to travel helped him decide which path he wanted to follow."
"She chose a career path in medicine."
"The two countries are on a path toward peace."
3
In computing, the specific location of a file or folder within a directory structure.
"Type the full path of the folder, including every slash, into the box."
"The program failed because the path to the image file was spelled wrongly."
"You need to update the file path in the configuration."
How to use path
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA route you can walk along, or, more broadly, a direction or course you're following in life, work, or a computer system.
Common pairings
garden path
career path
file path
path of least resistance
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Word forms
- Plural
- paths
- Third person singular
- paths
- Past tense
- pathed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We followed the muddy _____ down to the river after lunch.
Etymology
From Old English pæþ, "track, way," a very old Germanic word for a walking trail.
Related words
Rhymes for path
See all rhymes for path →Frequently asked questions
What does “path” mean?
The word “path” means a track or trail made for walking. In plain terms, a route you can walk along, or, more broadly, a direction or course you're following in life, work, or a computer system.
How do you pronounce “path”?
“Path” is pronounced pahth ([pʰæθ] in IPA).
How do you use “path” in a sentence?
Here is “path” used in a sentence: “A narrow path wound through the woods.”
What is another word for “path”?
Words with a similar meaning to “path” include trail.
What part of speech is “path”?
“Path” is a noun.
Where does the word “path” come from?
The word “path” comes from Old English. From Old English pæþ, "track, way," a very old Germanic word for a walking trail.
Is “path” a common word?
“Path” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “path” have?
“Path” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a track or trail made for walking.
What is the difference between a path and a road?
A path is a narrow track made for walking, often unpaved and just wide enough for people on foot. A road is a wider, usually paved route built mainly for vehicles. In short, paths carry pedestrians while roads carry traffic, though some paths also allow cyclists.
What is the difference between a path and a trail?
The two overlap heavily. A path is any track made for walking, often in a park, garden, or town. A trail tends to be longer and rougher, following natural terrain through countryside, forest, or mountains. Trails are usually associated with hiking, while paths can be anywhere.
What is an example of a path?
Examples include a garden path leading to a front door, a woodland footpath winding through trees, a paved walking path across a park, or a coastal path along a clifftop. Any track made and used for walking, rather than for vehicles, counts as a path.
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