Definition
A defined rectangular surface at an airport prepared for the landing and takeoff of aircraft, identified by a number based on its magnetic heading rounded to the nearest ten degrees, with the trailing zero dropped (e.g., runway 27 points roughly 270° magnetic).
Plain English
The strip of pavement or surface where airplanes take off and land. Each one is numbered so pilots and controllers know which one they're talking about.
Context Anchor
Seen in airport notices, airport diagrams, flight planning information, and radio-related written material where runway information is shortened.
Derivation
Runway comes from the words run and way, meaning a path or course for movement. In aviation, it became the prepared path an aircraft follows when it speeds up for takeoff or slows down after landing.
Why Pilots Care
Runway selection, length, and surface condition directly affect takeoff and landing performance, safety margins, and compliance with ATC instructions.
Intuition Check
Do not read RW as a separate piece of equipment or a special kind of runway. It is simply the written abbreviation for runway.
Example Sentence 1
The NOTAM listed RW09/27 as closed for maintenance until 1800Z.
Example Sentence 2
Runway 27 was closed for maintenance, so the tower assigned RW 18 instead.