skyway: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Technical / Urban Planning
Quick answer
What does “skyway” mean?
A covered or elevated pedestrian walkway connecting buildings, especially in urban centers.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A covered or elevated pedestrian walkway connecting buildings, especially in urban centers.
A designated route for aircraft through the sky; more broadly, any elevated transportation route, such as a highway or bridge.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is more commonly used in North American English, particularly in Canadian cities (e.g., Toronto, Montreal) and US cities like Minneapolis. In British English, 'pedestrian walkway', 'footbridge', or simply 'link bridge' are more typical, though 'skyway' is understood.
Connotations
In North America, it connotes modern urban planning and climate protection. In British contexts, it may sound like an Americanism or a futuristic concept.
Frequency
Low frequency in general English. Higher frequency in North American urban planning, architecture, and travel contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “skyway” in a Sentence
The [skyway] connects [Building A] to [Building B].The [city] has an extensive [skyway] system.We walked through the [covered skyway].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “skyway” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- This is not standard usage as a verb.
American English
- This is not standard usage as a verb.
adverb
British English
- This is not standard usage as an adverb.
American English
- This is not standard usage as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The skyway entrance is on the second floor.
American English
- Skyway-level shops are convenient in winter.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The new office development includes direct skyway access to the convention center.
Academic
The study examined the socio-economic impact of the skyway network on downtown retail.
Everyday
Let's use the skyway to get to the mall—it's too cold to walk outside.
Technical
The structural engineering report detailed load-bearing capacities for the proposed skyway spans.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skyway”
- Using 'skyway' to mean a skylight or window (that is a 'skylight').
- Confusing it with 'flyover' (for cars).
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to skyway' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very similar. 'Skyway' often implies a longer, possibly enclosed network, while 'skybridge' can refer to a single connecting bridge. They are frequently used interchangeably.
Yes, but less commonly. It can poetically refer to an elevated highway (e.g., 'the coastal skyway'), but 'elevated highway' or 'viaduct' is more precise.
It is a low-frequency, specialized term. Most English speakers will understand it, but its daily use is confined to specific cities or industries like aviation and urban planning.
Its primary purposes are to protect pedestrians from extreme weather (cold, heat, rain), reduce street-level congestion, and seamlessly connect buildings in dense urban areas.
A covered or elevated pedestrian walkway connecting buildings, especially in urban centers.
Skyway is usually formal / technical / urban planning in register.
Skyway: in British English it is pronounced /ˈskaɪweɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈskaɪˌweɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[City]'s skyway system is a city above the city.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'way' or path in the 'sky' (or above ground) for people to walk.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARTERIES OF THE CITY (The skyways are pathways that circulate people, like blood through a body).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'skyway' LEAST likely to be used?