fairway

noun

fair·​way ˈfer-ˌwā How to pronounce fairway (audio)
1
a
: a navigable part of a river, bay, or harbor
b
: an open path or space
2
: the closely mowed part of a golf course between a tee and a green

Examples of fairway in a Sentence

Her shot landed at the left side of the fairway.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
During a site visit to Kansas City as a potential permanent home, GCSAA officials visited Lawrence’s Alvamar Golf Club (now named Jayhawk Club), the first course in the world with Zoysia fairways. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026 Meanwhile, Cooper and Erley hope the city will send some of their existing water rights back down the fairway. — Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026 Taylor and Corey Conners were 1 up over Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns going to the 18th hole at Medinah when Taylor went into the trees and Conners could only punch back to the fairway. — ABC News, 25 Sep. 2026 This specific part of the course cuts across the 9th fairway. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fairway

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fairway was in the 15th century

Rhymes for fairway

See All Rhymes for fairway

Browse Nearby Words

fairwater
fairway
fair-weather
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Cite this Entry

“Fairway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fairway. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fairway

noun
fair·​way ˈfa(ə)r-ˌwā How to pronounce fairway (audio)
ˈfe(ə)r-
: the mowed part of a golf course between a tee and a green

More from Merriam-Webster on fairway

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fairway

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