runway

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A long, hard surface at an airport where planes take off and land.

   Grammar: Countable: one runway, two runways. Often used with 'on' or 'along'.

   Patterns

   • on the runway
   • along the runway
   • clear the runway

   The plane waited on the runway before taking off.

   Heavy snow closed the runway for several hours.

   The pilot taxied the aircraft along the runway.

2. 2nouncountable

   A raised narrow platform that models walk along to show clothes at a fashion show.

   Grammar: Countable: one runway, two runways. Often used with 'on' or 'down'.

   Patterns

   • on the runway
   • walk down the runway
   • a runway model

   The model walked down the runway in a red dress.

   Designers showed their new collections on the runway in Paris.

   She started her career as a runway model.

Word forms

Common combinations

on the runway

The plane was already on the runway when the storm began.

clear the runway

Ground staff cleared the runway after the accident.

walk down the runway

She walked down the runway with confidence.

runway model

He worked as a runway model before becoming an actor.

runway lights

The runway lights guided the plane in the dark.

Synonyms and how they differ

airstrip

Airstrip is a simpler, often shorter runway, sometimes unpaved and in a remote place; runway is the usual word for a major airport.

catwalk

Catwalk is a synonym for the fashion platform sense, not for the airport sense.

Commonly confused: runway or run away?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “runway”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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