A runway is a designated area on an airport or airfield that is used for the takeoff and landing of aircraft. It is typically a long, straight strip of pavement or concrete that is designed to support the weight of aircraft and provide a smooth surface for them to operate on. Runways are essential for the safe and efficient operation of airports and are constructed to meet strict design and safety standards. One important aspect of a runway is its length. The length of a runway is determined by the type and size of aircraft that will be using it. Larger aircraft require longer runways to achieve the necessary speed for takeoff and to come to a complete stop upon landing. Runways are also designed with a specific orientation to take into account prevailing winds and other environmental factors that can affect aircraft performance. Another key aspect of a runway is its surface. The surface of a runway must be able to withstand the weight of aircraft and provide good traction for takeoff and landing. Runways are typically constructed with asphalt or concrete, but other materials such as gravel or grass may be used for smaller, lighter aircraft. In addition to the runway itself, airports also have other designated areas for aircraft operations, such as taxiways and aprons. Taxiways are used by aircraft to move between the runway and the airport terminal or other facilities. Aprons are areas where aircraft are parked and serviced, and may also include facilities for loading and unloading passengers and cargo. Overall, runways are a critical component of airport infrastructure and are designed to ensure the safe and efficient operation of aircraft. They must meet strict design and safety standards to accommodate a wide range of aircraft types and sizes, and are essential for the smooth operation of air transportation systems.
airport, aircraft, takeoff, landing, pavement
The word “runway” has undergone both linguistic evolution as well as historical evolution. On the linguistic level, the word has its roots in the late 14th century French word “roner”, which translates to “running way”. This is likely due to its initial usage as a sequence of stones laid down to aid travelers in crossing wet terrain. On the historical level, the word came to be used in the early 1900s to describe a strip of concrete that was used by planes for taking off and landing. The morphology of the word is quite straightforward. The same “run” root is repeated twice; combined, they give us the meaning of a surface that is used to “run” on. Pragmatically, the term is used to refer to a strip of land (or water) on which aircraft take off and land from an airport or a heliport.
Etymology, Morphology, Word Origin, Semantics, Semiotic
Runway is a noun, which refers to a strip of hard and level service along which aircraft takes off and lands. Synonyms for this term include airstrip, taxiway, flight path, and tarmac. Antonyms include standstill, pause, and stop. Cognates of the word include the German word Startbahn, the French word piste, and the Spanish word pista. Variants of the word include runwaying, runways, and runwayed.
Etymological origin, morphological analysis, morphology structure, phonetics, lexical meaning, lexicography, lexeme, semantic change.
A runway is an area of pavement on an airport, or other airfield, which is used as a platform for aircraft to take off or land. It is a type of transport infrastructure constructed mainly to serve aircraft operations such as take-offs, landings, and taxiing. The terms runway and taxiway are often used interchangeably by non-aviation personnel. In other languages, the terms for runway include Bahasa Indonesia (landas pacu), Chinese (hēishēngdào), French (piste de décollage), German (Rollbahn), Greek (paxí), Hindi (रनवे), Italian (pista di volo), Japanese (ランウェー), Korean (공항 비행길), Portuguese (pista de desembarque), Russian (взлетно-посадочная полоса) and Spanish (pista).
Runway, Landas Pacu, Hēishēngdào, Piste de Décollage, Rollbahn, Paxí, रनवे, Pista di Volo, ランウェー, 공항 비행길, Pista de Desembarque, Взлетно-Посадочная Полоса, Pista - aviation, aircraft, takeoff, landing, taxiing, airfield, infrastructure, Bahasa Indonesia, C
Runway, in the fashion industry, refers to the path or stage walkway on which models showcase garments during catwalk shows. It is used by fashion brands and designers to display their collections and is typically seen during fashion weeks. Some of the most famous runway shows include those from major fashion houses such as Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Prada and Versace.
Runway fashion, models, catwalk, garments, fashion weeks.
Runway is a term used in the fashion industry to refer to a platform for models to showcase garments and accessories. It is typically a flat surface that is used to display clothing and accessories in a live fashion show or event. The runway has become a key feature in fashion shows and is used to showcase the latest designs of the season. It is usually accompanied by music and lighting to create an atmosphere that enhances the garments being presented. It is also used to create a space where the audience can get a better view of the garments while they are being presented.
Fashion runway, catwalk, fashion show, clothing presentation, garments.
CITATION : "Charles Windsor. 'Runway.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=200465 (Accessed on July 16, 2025)"
Runway is an image composition technique that is used in anime, comics and manga to depict a specific building. It is composed of several views of the outside of the building, such as the entrance, the roof, the sides and the inner courtyard, often taking the form of a wide-angle shot. The technique is usually used to establish a sense of scale and grandeur, allowing the viewers to have a better understanding of the structure and its size. In addition, it can be used to provide context and setting to the story being told.
Runway image composition, architectural illustration, manga architecture, aerial view, building illustration, wide angle shot.
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