What does runway mean?
A runway is a long strip of land, normally paved, from which aircraft take off and land. It may also mean the narrow track or platform used by fashion models during a clothing presentation. The aviation sense is technically precise: aircraft use a runway to gain speed for takeoff or to slow down after landing, and airports often provide more than one runway for different directions and weather conditions. The fashion sense developed through the idea of a visible path along which models display clothing to an audience. In contemporary English, the word is therefore associated both with travel and movement and with public display, elegance, and commercial presentation. People also speak of a product, project, or campaign “launching” or “being on the runway,” especially in fashion and entertainment. Although catwalk is especially common in British English, runway is understood and widely used in both British and American English.
nounA long, usually paved strip at an airport used by aircraft for taking off and landing. In fashion, a runway is the long, narrow area on which models walk to display clothing.
- A long, flat strip of land, usually paved, used by aircraft for taking off and landing.
- A long, narrow area used by fashion models to walk and display clothing.
"The plane waited on the runway until the storm had passed."
"The aircraft accelerated along the runway before lifting into the air."
"The designer invited several models onto the runway to show the new collection."
The standard plural is runways, used for multiple airport strips or for several fashion display areas.
"The airport has two runways that operate in opposite directions."
A runway is both the path a plane takes to the sky and the path a model takes to the spotlight.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does runway come from?
The word is a compound of run and way, with way meaning a path or route. The aviation sense developed in the 19th century for a prepared strip along which an aircraft could run during takeoff or landing. By the 20th century, the term was also applied by analogy to the narrow path on which fashion models display clothing. The elements remain visible in related forms such as runaway, overrun, and underrun.
How runway is actually used
The aviation sense is standard in British and American English. In fashion contexts, runway is common in both varieties, although British speakers also frequently use catwalk for the platform itself. The word can also refer more broadly to a route or display area, especially in figurative fashion and business expressions.
Easily confused with runway
A runway is used for aircraft takeoffs and landings, while a taxiway connects the runway to other parts of the airport.