noun
runway
RUHN-way
noun
1
A paved strip used by aircraft for takeoff and landing.
"The plane taxied to the runway and waited for clearance."
"Fog forced the airport to close its main runway for an hour."
2
A narrow raised platform models walk along during a fashion show.
"The designer's new collection debuted on the runway in Milan."
3
The amount of time a company can keep operating before its cash reserves run out.
"The startup had about six months of runway left before it needed new funding."
How to Use Runway
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA strip for planes to take off/land, a fashion-show catwalk, or (in business) how long a company's money will last.
Common pairings
clear for the runway
hit the runway
have six months of runway
Word Forms
runways plural
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The plane taxied to the _____ and waited for clearance.
Etymology
Formed from run + way.