(1)小路(径) (way made across the ground by the passing of people or animals)[C]： a mountain/woodland/garden/bicycle～山间小路/林间小路/花园小径/自行车道;shovel/clear a～through the snow 在雪地上铲/清出一条小路; They found their way by back～s to a motel. 他们经过偏僻的小路才找到汽车旅馆。

(2)路线，轨道 (line along which someone or something is moving)[C]：the～of the bus/the whirlwind/the satellite 公共汽车营运的路线/旋风经过的路线/卫星的运行轨道;His～through life was hard.(fig) 他的生活道路十分艰难。

(3)行动步骤，办事程序 (course of action，conduct，or procedure)[C]：the～of righteousness 正义的行动; I criticized the～the government was taking. 我批评了政府所采取的做法。

(4)(达到或成就某事的) 途径 (方法) (way to reach or achieve sth)[C][N(to)]： the～to success/ruin/riches/power 成功/毁灭/富裕/权力之路;He saw public ownership as one of many～s to achieving a socialist society. 他认为公有制是实现社会主义社会的许多途径之一。They had found the only～to national safety. 他们找到了保证国家安全的唯一途径。

→′bypath n 小路，间径;′footpath n人行道;′path-finder n开路先锋;′pathless adj 茫茫无路的;′pathway n小路;

【辨异】path与trail、track和lane的区别见LANE。