runway

Everyday

1. A runway is a long, flat strip of hard ground at an airport where planes take off and land. tree →
2. A runway is also the long, narrow stage that models walk along at a fashion show (also called a catwalk). tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and travel, planes taxi to the runway, speed up and take off; pupils may watch from an airport's viewing area. In science, a plane needs a long runway to build up enough speed to make lift. In maths, runways are long lengths measured in metres or kilometres. In fashion, models walk the runway. Phrases: «take off from the runway», «runway lights», «on the runway», «a new runway».

Examples

• The plane raced down the runway and took off. tree →
• The runway lights guide pilots at night. tree →
• The airport is building a new runway. tree →
• We waited on the runway for twenty minutes. tree →
• The model walked down the runway in a gold dress. tree →
• This runway is three kilometres long. tree →

Note

One word. In the UK the fashion stage is more often called a «catwalk». Not the same as «taxiway», the path planes use to get to and from the runway.