path

noun

\ ˈpath

, ˈpäth\

plural paths\ ˈpat͟hz

, ˈpaths , ˈpät͟hz , ˈpäths

Definition of path

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a trodden way a winding path through the woods

2 : a track specially constructed for a particular use a garden path of flagstones

3a : course, route the path of a meteor

b : a way of life, conduct, or thought decided on a career path in medicine

4a : the continuous series of positions or configurations that can be assumed in any motion or process of change by a moving or varying system

b : a sequence of arcs in a network that can be traced continuously without retracing any arc

5 : pathway sense 2 the optic path from the retina to the cerebral cortex

path

abbreviation

variants: or pathol

Definition of path (Entry 2 of 3)

pathological; pathology

-path

noun combining form

Definition of -path (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : practitioner of a (specified) system of medicine that emphasizes one aspect of disease or its treatment naturopath

a : one suffering from a disorder (of such a part or system) psychopath

b : one perceiving telepath

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about path

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Synonyms for path

Synonyms: Noun

course, line, pathway, route, routeway [chiefly British], steps, track, way

Examples of path in a Sentence

Noun

We followed a winding path through the woods. The path led down the hill. The car skidded into the path of an oncoming truck. The fire destroyed everything in its path. The cars moved aside to clear a path for the ambulance. He tried to leave but one of the guards blocked his path. They are heading down a dangerous path that could lead to war.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Meanwhile, their father Felipe (Edward James Olmos) is struggling to lead his sons down a righteous path. — Chuck Barney, Detroit Free Press, "TV highlights for the week of Sept. 1-7," 1 Sep. 2019 The path to professional legitimacy was more difficult for Seberg. — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Seberg': Film Review | Venice 2019," 30 Aug. 2019 For Sciorra, that new path is likely take her to a New York courtroom and a faceoff with Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced movie mogul who allegedly raped her in her apartment more than two decades ago. — Eric Levenson, CNN, "What we know about the 'Sopranos' actress who could testify against Harvey Weinstein," 27 Aug. 2019 The path forward for ethical AI isn’t straightforward. — Alejandro De La Garza, Time, "Meet the Researchers Working to Make Sure Artificial Intelligence Is a Force for Good," 23 Aug. 2019 Instead, Chinese leaders set off down a path that led them to the present confrontation. — The Economist, "On Hong Kong, China should retreat to advance," 22 Aug. 2019 The course path is three years, encompassing MLR 1, MLR 2 and MLR 3. — Ramona Sentinel, "Mentors needed to assist Career Technical Education students," 22 Aug. 2019 With all the tough issues facing us today, perhaps the logical path of least resistance would be an option here. — Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, "Letters: Hot classrooms for DPS students; Sorry Dems, no recession here; Hick, next Nighthorse Campbell?; Trump’s military arms sales race (8/21/19)," 21 Aug. 2019 The new path would be to build businesses in diverse places around the country. — Aimee Groth, Quartz, "Andrew Yang’s basic income plan permits Americans to fail. And that’s a good thing," 20 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'path.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for path

Noun

Middle English, from Old English pæth; akin to Old High German pfad path

Noun combining form

borrowed from Greek -pathēs "experiencing, undergoing or suffering (as designated by the initial element)," adjectival derivative from páthos "experience, misfortune, emotion" — more at pathos

Note: The agentive meaning of sense 1 is based on loans from German or French (as German Homöopath, French homéopathe homeopath) that appear to be back-formations from abstract nouns ending in -ie (Homöopathie, homéopathie homeopathy—cf. -pathy).

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More Definitions for path

path

noun

English Language Learners Definition of path

: a track that is made by people or animals walking over the ground

: a track that is specially made for people to walk or ride on

: the area in front of someone or something that is moving

See the full definition for path in the English Language Learners Dictionary

path

noun

\ ˈpath

, ˈpäth\

plural paths\ ˈpat͟hz , ˈpät͟hz \

Kids Definition of path

1 : a track made by traveling on foot We followed a path through the woods.

2 : the way or track in which something moves or in which something will be encountered “Push the log in the path of the saw!”— Lemony Snicket, The Miserable Mill

3 : a way of life or thought

path

Definition of path

Synonyms for path

Examples of path in a Sentence

First Known Use of path

History and Etymology for path

English Language Learners Definition of path

Kids Definition of path

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