A fairway is the smoothly mowed strip of grass that runs between the tee box (where you start) and the green (where the hole is) on a golf course. When golfers hit a good drive, they say the ball landed “in the fairway,” meaning it's in that ideal playing area where the grass is short and even, making the next shot much easier.

On either side of the fairway, you'll usually find the rough (longer, tougher grass) or hazards like sand traps and water. A ball in the fairway gives you a clean shot, while a ball in the rough makes things much harder.

The word can also describe a safe, clear passage through dangerous waters. Ships navigate through fairways that are marked channels, deep enough and free of rocks or obstacles. Just as a golf fairway is the best path to the green, a nautical fairway is the best route through tricky waters. Both meanings share the idea of a clear, safe route toward your destination.