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.
Woodland is first in driving distance and has paired that with accuracy, finding 20-of-28 fairways — which is critical given the length of the rough this week. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026 Weiss runs a country club where golf clubs become horsepower, fairways give way to a racetrack and the handicap system is measured in lap time. — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Rooms come with views of the mountain or Cheyenne Lake; six Cape Cod–style cottages, most with eight bedrooms, are separate from the main hotel, located along the eighteenth fairway of the East Course. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026 Reilly’s shot took one hop and struck the pin, rolling off the green, into the fairway and into the rough. — Mercury News Staff, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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