Which of the following describes "taxiway"?

A taxiway is a crucial part of airport operations, serving as a paved path that connects the ramp, where aircraft are parked, loaded, and unloaded, to the runway, where takeoffs and landings occur. This connection is essential for the safe and efficient movement of aircraft on the ground, enabling pilots to navigate between different areas of the airport without using the runway for taxiing purposes, which helps maintain safety and minimizes congestion.

The other options describe functions or areas that do not accurately reflect the definition of a taxiway. For instance, paved areas used for aircraft departure only would be classified as runways rather than taxiways, because taxiways serve the purpose of guiding aircraft to and from runways. Similarly, areas designated for emergency landings and zones for passenger boarding refer to specific operations that do not encompass the general function of a taxiway, which is strictly about aircraft movement on the ground.