runway

/ˈɹʌnweɪ/

//ˈɹʌnweɪ// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"runway" is a 6-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“runway” is a regularly-used English word, ranked #8,086 in English word frequency and used as a noun.

#8,086
frequency rank, English
6
letters
9
tracked misspellings
2
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A defined, narrow section of land or an artificial structure used for access.

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

runway vs runny
67% similar
runway vs runaway
86% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for runway
PropertyValue
Headwordrunway
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈɹʌnweɪ/
Letters6
Frequency rank#8,086
Misspellings tracked9
Confusable pairs2
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “runway” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). runway lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for runway is 6 letters long, classified as a noun, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˈɹʌnweɪ/. Corpus data places it at rank #8,086 in overall English word frequency, indicating it appears regularly in written and spoken text. Wiktionary records 7 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 9 likely wrong-spelling variants for runway, with forms such as "rnuway", "rrunway", and "runawy". Each variant is a distinct typo pattern an edit-distance generator flags, typically a doubled-consonant error, a silent-letter drop, or a vowel substitution. It also participates in 2 confusable-pair relationships, "runny", "runaway", since the words sound or look close enough that writers reach for the wrong one mid-sentence.

Etymologically, the entry records: From run + way. The correct English form is runway, spelled R-U-N-W-A-Y.

Definition

  1. 1
    A defined, narrow section of land or an artificial structure used for access.
  2. 2
    The usual path taken by deer or other wild animals, such as from a forest to a water source.
  3. 3
    A narrow walkway (often on a platform) extending from a stage on which people walk, especially one used by models during fashion shows.
  4. 4
    In javelin, long jump, and similar events: a short track along which athletes can accelerate themselves for their jumps or throws.
  5. 5
    A section of land, usually paved, for airplanes to land on or take off from.
  6. 6
    The number of months that a startup company can operate by using up its cash reserves.
  7. 7
    A stream bed.

Etymology

From run + way.

Synonyms

airstrip

This word in other languages

pista(Español)podium(Français)Laufsteg(Deutsch)passarela(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: rnuway,rrunway,runawy,runnway,runwayy,runwway,runwya,ruwnay,urnway

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of runway - measured in single-character edits (insert, delete, or substitute a letter). Larger bars are easier to catch; one-edit slips are the sneakiest.

rnuway2rrunway1runawy2runnway1runwayy1runwway1runwya2ruwnay2
Edit distance from "runway"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "runway"?
"runway" is spelled R-U-N-W-A-Y. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈɹʌnweɪ/.
What does "runway" mean?
As a noun, "runway" means: A defined, narrow section of land or an artificial structure used for access.
What words are commonly confused with "runway"?
"runway" is commonly confused with "runny", "runaway". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "runway"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "runway" is /ˈɹʌnweɪ/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "runway"?
From run + way. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “runway”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is R-U-N-W-A-Y - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈɹʌnweɪ/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “runny” - see the side-by-side comparison. runway vs runny
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list