runway

noun7

1. •
   a long flat road at an airport where a plane leaves the ground or comes back down

   • 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. — 2020
2. •
   A defined, narrow section of land or an artificial structure used for access.

   • 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. — 1919
3. •
   A narrow walkway (often on a platform) extending from a stage on which people walk, especially one used by models during fashion shows.

   • At a time when “heroin chic” ruled the runway, the press tormented the granddaughter of Roald Dahl about her curvier body. — 2023
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. — 1969
5. •
   (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. — 2014
6. •
   The usual path taken by deer or other wild animals, such as from a forest to a water source.

   • 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. — 1893
7. •
   A stream bed.