# path

/ˈpæθ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/path
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. walking track

noun · CEFR A2

a track or way made for walking or cycling.

For teachers: a trail or track specifically designed for or worn by pedestrians and cyclists.

- We followed a narrow path through the woods until we reached the river.
- The coastal path winds along the cliffs, offering hikers spectacular views of the Atlantic while keeping them safely away from the erosion-prone edges.

### 2. direction or route

noun · CEFR B1

the direction that someone or something moves in.

For teachers: the physical course or route along which something moves or is directed.

- The storm's path suggests it will hit the coast by tomorrow morning.
- The satellite's orbital path was adjusted slightly to ensure continuous coverage of the disaster zone during the recovery efforts.

### 3. life course

noun · CEFR B1

a plan or way of life that leads to a certain result.

For teachers: a metaphorical course of action or a sequence of events leading to a specific goal or state.

- She chose a difficult career path but she enjoys the challenge.
- The government is seeking a diplomatic path to resolve the conflict without resorting to economic sanctions.

### 4. computing address

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the address that shows where a file is kept on a computer.

For teachers: a string of characters used to uniquely identify a location in a hierarchical file system or URL.

- You need to copy the full file path into the search bar to find the document.
- The application failed to launch because the absolute path to the configuration file contained spaces that the script could not parse correctly.

### 6. to find a way

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to find or create a route through a space, often in a video game.

For teachers: to navigate or calculate a route through a complex environment, especially in computer science or gaming.

- The characters in the game sometimes struggle to path around large obstacles.
- The AI agents are programmed to path toward the nearest exit whenever the alarm state is triggered within the simulation.

Usage: Often used as an intransitive verb in the context of AI movement.

## Examples

- The path through the woods is very narrow.
- The hikers followed a winding path that led them directly to the hidden waterfall at the top of the hill.
- Choosing a career in research often requires a path of rigorous academic study and several years of low-paid assistant work before one achieves professional independence.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.