airway: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal/Technical (medical/aviation)
Quick answer
What does “airway” mean?
The passage through which air reaches the lungs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The passage through which air reaches the lungs; a tube from the mouth/nose to the lungs.
1) A designated route for aircraft to follow in the sky. 2) An airline company (now somewhat dated). 3) A passage for ventilating a mine. 4) The clear passage in the throat needed for breathing, especially in medical emergencies.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is nearly identical in both varieties. 'Airways' as a company name (e.g., British Airways) is common in the UK.
Connotations
Primarily neutral/technical in both. In a medical context, it carries a serious, potentially urgent connotation.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in British English due to the prominence of 'British Airways' as a national carrier.
Grammar
How to Use “airway” in a Sentence
The paramedic secured [PATIENT]'s airway.The flight followed [AIRWAY] G462.An object obstructed [POSSESSIVE] airway.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “airway” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The airway pressure was monitored.
- Airway clearance techniques are vital for cystic fibrosis.
American English
- Airway management is a key skill for EMTs.
- The patient had significant airway obstruction.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in logistics ('air waybill' - AWB) or referring to airline companies.
Academic
Common in medical and aviation research papers.
Everyday
Used in news about aviation or in personal medical discussions (e.g., 'He has an airway infection').
Technical
Core term in emergency medicine, anaesthesiology, pulmonology, and air traffic control.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “airway”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “airway”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “airway”
- Using 'airway' to mean 'airline' in contemporary contexts (dated). Confusing 'airway' (general passage) with specific terms like 'trachea' or 'bronchus'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. The 'windpipe' (trachea) is a specific part of the lower airway. 'Airway' is a broader term for the entire passage from nose/mouth to lungs.
It's dated. While used in proper names (e.g., British Airways), using it generically ('I flew with a major airway') sounds old-fashioned. Use 'airline' instead.
An 'airway' is a designated route within an 'airspace'. 'Airspace' is the general 3D area over a country or region, while an 'airway' is like a highway within it.
Yes. You can have 'an airway' or 'multiple airways'. In medicine, we often refer to 'the airway' (singular, as a system) or 'the airways' (plural, referring to branches).
The passage through which air reaches the lungs.
Airway is usually formal/technical (medical/aviation) in register.
Airway: in British English it is pronounced /ˈeə.weɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈer.weɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Clear the airway (medical imperative)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HIGHWAY in the SKY for planes, or a WAY for AIR to reach your lungs.
Conceptual Metaphor
PASSAGE IS A PATHWAY (for air or aircraft).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'airway' most likely refer to a company?