Fairway Definition & Meaning

American

British

Etymology

Examples

Synonyms fairway American [fair-wey] / ˈfɛərˌweɪ /

noun

1. an unobstructed passage, way, or area.

2. Golf.

   1. the part of the course where the grass is cut short between the tees and the putting greens, exclusive of the rough, trees, and hazards.

      More important than long drives is keeping your ball on the fairway.

   2. the mowed part of any hole between the tee and the green.

      The foursome is now on the tenth fairway.

3. Nautical.

   1. the navigable portion of a river, harbor, or other partly enclosed body of water.

   2. the channel customarily navigated by vessels in such a body of water.

fairway British / ˈfɛəˌweɪ /

noun

1. (on a golf course) the areas of shorter grass between the tees and greens, esp the avenue approaching a green bordered by rough

2. nautical

   1. the navigable part of a river, harbour, etc

   2. the customary course followed by vessels

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of fairway

1515–25; 1905–10 fairway for def. 2; fair 1 + way 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It is also a clear fairway for investors pursuing a steady income stream with an eye on impact External link.

From Barron's

After Clark hit her tee shot on the 10th hole down the middle of the fairway, Cunningham sliced hers into the crowd.

From Los Angeles Times

But the beautifully manicured fairways and greens may reinforce a view that golf is only for the rich in a country where poverty is rife and the average GDP per capita is about $4,000.

From Barron's

The tight, tree-lined fairways interweave with a treasure trove of archaeological remnants.

From Barron's

"I hit it in the fairway a lot and gave myself some chances with irons," said Fleetwood.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.