1
: that moves in or allows movement in only one direction
a one-way street
2
: one-sided, unilateral
a one-way conversation
3
: that functions in only one of two or more ways

Examples of one-way in a Sentence

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.
When the victim got out of her car and approached the SUV, its driver barreled into her then turned onto Lafayette Ave., heading the wrong way down a one-way street to get away, cops said. John Annese, New York Daily News, 25 May 2025 For example, one-way award flight rates from the U.S. West Coast to Tokyo Narita (NRD) or Tokyo Haneda (HND) currently start as low as 70,000 miles during the low season. Geoff Whitmore, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 Jen isn’t marrying an ex-convict, thief, or someone who thinks cake consumption is a one-way ticket to Hell. David John Chávez, Mercury News, 22 May 2025 American Airlines is having a huge award sale for late summer travel, with domestic routes and short-haul international flights available for just 5,000 miles one-way. Andrew Kunesh, Travel + Leisure, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for one-way

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of one-way was in 1824

Cite this Entry

“One-way.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/one-way. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

one-way

adjective
1
: moving or allowing movement in one direction only
2

More from Merriam-Webster on one-way

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