# pathway

/ˈpæθˌweɪ/ (US) · /pˈɑːθweɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pathway
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a physical track

noun · CEFR B1

a track or path that people can walk along, often in a garden or park.

For teachers: a physical track, footpath, or route designed for pedestrian travel.

- A stone pathway leads from the back door down to the small pond.
- The landscape architect designed a winding gravel pathway to encourage visitors to explore the more secluded corners of the botanical garden.

### 2. a course of action

noun · CEFR B2

a plan or series of steps that helps you achieve a specific result.

For teachers: a metaphorical route or sequence of stages leading to a particular outcome or career goal.

- The college offers a clear pathway for students who want to become nurses.
- The government is seeking a diplomatic pathway to resolve the conflict without resorting to further economic sanctions.

### 3. biochemical process

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a series of chemical reactions that happen inside a living thing.

For teachers: a sequence of biochemical reactions occurring within a cell, typically involving enzymes and metabolic processes.

- Scientists are studying the metabolic pathway that helps the body burn sugar.
- Researchers identified a specific signaling pathway that, when inhibited, significantly reduced the rate of tumor growth in the laboratory models.

## Examples

- The stone pathway leads directly to the garden gate.
- The university offers a clear academic pathway for students who want to transition from nursing into medical research.
- Biologists are currently mapping the complex signaling pathway that allows cells to respond to external stress, hoping to identify new targets for drug therapy.

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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.