a course of conduct
"the path of virtue"
"we went our separate ways"
"our paths in life led us apart"
"genius usually follows a revolutionary path"
a way especially designed for a particular use
"The garden features a narrow gravel path specifically designed for wheelchair access."
A trail for the use of, or worn by, pedestrians.
"The doctor referred me to a specialist because my recent symptoms suggested a possible neurological path."
Pathology.
In plain English: A path is a narrow road made by walking that leads from one place to another.
"We followed the narrow path through the forest to reach the lake."
Usage: Use "path" to describe a physical route or way through an area, such as a walking trail or digital navigation line. Do not use it interchangeably with "pathology," which refers to the study of diseases and their causes.
To make a path in, or on (something), or for (someone).
"The tractor driver carefully steered through the dense forest to carve a new path for the delivery truck."
In plain English: To path something means to create a route for it to follow, though this specific usage is rare and usually refers to setting up a track in computer software.
"The heavy rain will not path the muddy field, so we must wait for better weather."
Usage: Use "path" as a verb when physically creating a trail through dense vegetation or snow by walking through it repeatedly. It describes the action of opening a way where none existed before, often implying effort against resistance.
The word "path" comes from Old English and originally meant a track or way to travel. While its ultimate roots may trace back to an ancient Indo-European concept of passing through, the direct lineage in Germanic languages has been used for centuries to describe a route on the ground.