noun

runway

/ˈɹʌnweɪ/ · say it: RUN·way

how long a company can operate before running out of cash

In Business & Marketing

In more detail

1. (noun) a long, hard surface where aircraft take off and land

2. (noun) a long platform where fashion models walk to display clothes

Examples

1. The plane accelerated down the runway before taking off.
2. The models strutted down the runway in the latest designer collection.

How to use runway

Runway has two distinct uses: in aviation, it refers to the hard-surfaced strip where planes land and take off, typically at an airport; in fashion, it denotes the long, narrow platform on which models walk to showcase clothing collections. Each sense is standard and widely understood in its domain, with no overlap between contexts.

Common phrases

runway show
fashion runway
on the runway
take off from the runway
clear the runway
runway model

Synonyms

airstrip · landing strip · tarmac · catwalk · platform

Word family

runways (plural)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse runway with 'boardwalk' or 'catwalk,' though catwalk is an acceptable synonym in fashion contexts. In aviation contexts, runway should not be confused with 'taxiway,' which is where aircraft taxi but do not take off or land.

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