1
: a passage for a current of air (as in a mine or to the lungs)
2
: a designated route along which airplanes fly from airport to airport
especially
: such a route equipped with navigational aids
3
: airline
4
: a channel of a designated radio frequency for broadcasting or other radio communication
Examples of airway in a Sentence
a patient with a partially blocked airway
Recent Examples on the Web
Asthma Shortness of breath is one of the hallmark symptoms of asthma, caused by narrow airways.
—
Amanda Gardner, Health, 1 June 2024
After a few hours in the chamber, the study participants gave sputum samples, which helped researchers identify those who were sensitive to the fumes and exactly how their airways and lungs were being affected.
—Linda Carroll, TIME, 30 May 2024
After the lungs are removed, doctors irrigate the remaining airway and chest cavity.
—Chicago Tribune, The Mercury News, 28 May 2024
An asthma attack can feel like someone is squeezing your airways.
—Omid Akbari, Discover Magazine, 20 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for airway 
Amanda Gardner, Health, 1 June 2024
After a few hours in the chamber, the study participants gave sputum samples, which helped researchers identify those who were sensitive to the fumes and exactly how their airways and lungs were being affected.
—Linda Carroll, TIME, 30 May 2024
After the lungs are removed, doctors irrigate the remaining airway and chest cavity.
—Chicago Tribune, The Mercury News, 28 May 2024
An asthma attack can feel like someone is squeezing your airways.
—Omid Akbari, Discover Magazine, 20 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for airway
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'airway.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near airway
Cite this Entry
“Airway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airway. Accessed 12 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
airway
noun
air·way
-ˌwā 
: a passageway for air into or out of the lungs
specifically
: a device passed into the trachea by way of the mouth or nose or through an incision to maintain a clear respiratory passageway (as during anesthesia, convulsions, or in obstructive laryngitis) see upper airway
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