1.
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-way street.
ADJ : ADJ n
2.
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...
ADJ : usu ADJ n
3.
A one-way ticket or fare is for a journey from one place to another, but not back again. ( mainly AM )
...a one-way ticket from New York to Los Angeles.
= single
≠ return
ADJ : usu ADJ n
•
One-way is also an adverb. ( in BRIT, usually use single )
Unrestricted fares will be increased as much as $80 one-way.
ADV : ADV after v
4.
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...
ADJ : ADJ n
5.
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.
ADJ : usu ADJ n
6.
If you describe an agreement or a relationship as a one-way street , you mean that only one of the sides in the agreement or relationship is offering something or is benefitting from it.
The experience of the last 10 years has shown that, for the Eurosceptics, loyalty is a one-way street; something you demand but do not give...
So trade between the two nations has been something of a one-way street, with Cuba deriving the benefit.
PHRASE