runway

noun

1. A defined, narrow section of land or an artificial structure used for access.

   “The invention comprehends an inclined runway or cable connected at its upper end in any desirable way to a point adjacent the bin, pocket, or chute to which the coal is to be delivered and connected at its lower end to a post or other point of attachment located at the side of the pile of coal. […] The coal tub or carrier by means of which the coal is conveyed is suspended from and adapted to run along the runway or cable, […]”

   “Q. Was the fence all blocked by the freight? […] A. No, there was a runway left, so they could drive trucks through there inside the space.”

   “A TAKE-DOWN CANOE RUNWAY. A very handy adjunct to the camp of a canoeist is a runway that can be taken apart and transported easily.”

2. The usual path taken by deer or other wild animals, such as from a forest to a water source.

   “There is a water-break formed by a small terrace of rock in mid-stream, and purling with a hollow, delicious monotone—an island of pebbles is above, with here and there smaller ones near the "forks." This pebbly island is directly on the runway, or customary trail which the hunted deer pursues through the forests. […] I fix my eyes steadily upon the runway—straining them almost from their sockets—still no deer.”

   “These streams have always been, and, of right ought to be, the runways for shad and salmon, when these fishes are seeking a spawning bed;[…]. The public at large, […] are entitled to have the full benefit of these runways free from any such permanent obstructions as will prevent the ready passage of fish up stream, or will destroy them uselessly on their return to the river and sea.”

   “The runways rapidly narrow in both diameters, and as they reach that portion of the way which is substantially horizontal, they are of a size to allow an adult marmot to readily pass through.”

   “In the mornings hoar-frost lay thick upon the ground, and thin ice formed in currentless shallows and overlay the muskrat runways.”

3. A narrow walkway (often on a platform) extending from a stage on which people walk, especially one used by models during fashion shows.

   “He halfheartedly paid attention to the flurry of activity on the runway, until a thunderous round of applause suddenly broke out. He then sat up straight, giving his full attention to the striking, attention-grabbing model who'd just strolled onto the runway.”

   “At a time when “heroin chic” ruled the runway, the press tormented the granddaughter of Roald Dahl about her curvier body.”

4. In javelin, long jump, and similar events: a short track along which athletes can accelerate themselves for their jumps or throws.

   “Proper footwear is a must for javelin throwing. To some degree the surface of the runway will dictate the type of shoe.”

   “The main goal of the approach run is to attain the maximum controllable running speed on the runway immediately prior to the throw.”

5. A section of land, usually paved, for airplanes to land on or take off from.

   “Down at the end of the field when ready for the take-off, I'd taxi the ship off the runway and tell him why I did that—"so as not to block incoming ships," and I'd tell him at the same time why the incoming ship was supposed to land in the first third of the field and why in the take-off we were going all the way to the end of the runway and not try to take off up the middle of the runway.”

   “Space Shuttle. A human-operated space vehicle launched by a rocket to orbit the Earth and then return to Earth and land undamaged on a runway like a conventional airplane.”

   “They hurried across the waiting hall to the departure gates. Through the windows he could see the floodlights on the field, shining on the runways. Planes pulled up in rows at the gates, assembly-line style, workers swarming over them like ants even before they stopped.”

   “Dozens of residents assembled cars and 4-wheelers to light the runway so the plane could land and pick up a child who needed medical attention, Nelson said.”

   “There have been seven close calls on US runways this year, which has led to a fair amount of news coverage, some alarm among the flying public and a lot of calls for answers.”

6. (informal)The number of months that a startup company can operate by using up its cash reserves.

   “So, if you have $1.8M in the bank and monthly burn rate of $150,000, you have a runway of 12 months.”

   “There was so much investment—as much capital as twice the GDP of Tuvalu—which meant we must have enough runway, right?”

7. A stream bed.