Plain English Meaning
The white paint on the runway. The numbers, lines, stripes, and bars that tell pilots which runway it is, where it starts, where to aim, and where the edges are.
Full Definition
The standardized white painted patterns applied to a runway surface that identify the runway, define its usable portions, and provide visual guidance for takeoff, landing, and rollout. Markings vary by runway type: visual runways carry the simplest set (centerline and runway designator), nonprecision instrument runways add threshold and aiming point markings, and precision instrument runways carry the full set including touchdown zone markings and side stripes.