fairway
UK: ˈfeəweɪ | US: ˈferweɪ
n. a navigable channel in a river or harbor
n. (golf) the mowed part of a course between a tee and a green
n. (aviation) a designated path for aircraft takeoff or landing
Originally a nautical term (16th c.), "fairway" described a clear channel for ships, combining "fair" (unobstructed) and "way" (path). Later adopted in golf (19th c.) for the trimmed grass path to the hole, and in aviation (20th c.) for runway approaches. The word’s logic hinges on spatial clarity—a defined, obstacle-free zone for movement.
The ship carefully navigated the narrow fairway of the harbor.
Golfers aim to keep their ball on the fairway for a better shot.
The pilot aligned the aircraft with the fairway before landing.
Dredging maintained the fairway’s depth for large vessels.
Straying from the fairway in golf often leads to difficult terrain.