In one-way streets or traffic systems, vehicles can only travel along in one direction.
He zoomed through junctions without stopping and sped the wrong way down a one-waystreet.
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
One-way describes journeys which go to just one place, rather than to that place and then back again.
The trailers will be rented for one-way trips.
3. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A one-way ticket or fare is for a journey from one place to another, but not back again.
[mainly US]
...a one-way ticket from New York to Los Angeles.
One-way is also an adverb.
Unrestricted fares will be increased as much as $80 one-way.
regional note: in BRIT, usually use single
4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
If you say that a course of action is a one-way ticket to a place or situation, or is a one-way journey there, you are sure that it will lead to the place or situation mentioned.
It seemed like a one-way ticket to riches, but then it all went wrong.
Having children is not a one-way ticket to unconditional bliss.
5. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
One-way glass or a one-way mirror is a piece of glass which acts as a mirror when looked at from one side, but acts as a window when looked through from the other side. They are used for watching people without their knowledge.
From the observation booth, we watched Ted and his therapist through the one-wayglass.
6.
See one-way street
one-way in British English
adjective
1.
moving or allowing travel in one direction only
one-way traffic
2.
entailing no reciprocal obligation, action, etc
a one-way agreement
one-way in American English
(ˈwʌnˈweɪ)
adjective
1.
moving, or providing for movement, in one direction only
a one-way street, a one-way ticket
2.
without any reciprocal action or obligation
a one-way contract
More idioms containing
one-way
a one-way ticket to something
Examples of 'one-way' in a sentence
one-way
The influence is not all one-way traffic.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If that sounds like one-way traffic in the first half then it is misleading.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is a one-way ticket, though.
The Sun (2016)
It was such one-way traffic, the result was hard to take in.
The Sun (2016)
Who said a football fan's loyalty was a one-way street?
The Sun (2017)
It is a one-way street.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The traffic has been one-way for too long.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Just as long as you have a one-way ticket.
The Sun (2014)
It was very much a one-way journey.
Francis Pryor BRITAIN BC: Life In Britain and Ireland before the Romans (2003)
Social media is not a one-way street.
Christianity Today (2000)
Not that they expect one-way traffic or anything!
The Sun (2007)
She drove the wrong way down a one-way street.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was one-way traffic in the second half.
The Sun (2014)
Moving between industry and consulting is by no means a one-way street.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
But it was one-way traffic after that.
The Sun (2009)
It should not be a one-way street.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Already it is clear that the traffic is not one-way.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It can work out to be less costly to split a one-way journey into two or more single tickets.
The Sun (2012)
It had been a one-way journey.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Traffic is strictly one-way, the direction of flow changing at different times of day.
Atterbury, Paul Exploring Britain's Canals (1994)
Once a passport to social acceptance, it is now a one-way ticket to ridicule.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In fact, he was en route to the airport with a one-way ticket.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
There are days when a one-way journey into a deep, enveloping oblivion can seem very appealing.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It was taking its main passenger on his final, one-way journey and close behind were the two funeral cars.
The Sun (2011)
Essentially it's a one-way ticket.
Francis Pryor BRITAIN BC: Life In Britain and Ireland before the Romans (2003)
In other languages
one-way
British English: one-way ADJECTIVE
In one-way streets or traffic systems, vehicles can only travel along in one direction.