motorway

American  

[moh-ter-wey] / ˈmoʊ tərˌweɪ /

noun

British.

1. an expressway.

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motorway British  

/ ˈməʊtəˌweɪ /

noun

1. US names: superhighway.   expressway.  a main road for fast-moving traffic, having limited access, separate carriageways for vehicles travelling in opposite directions, and usually a total of four or six lanes

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Etymology

Origin of motorway

First recorded in 1900–05; motor + way ¹

Example Sentences

On a recent ride around Hefei, the car drove itself through dense motorway traffic and around an underground parking lot.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth has promised to find a solution to congestion along the M4 motorway and said it should be "roads-based".

From BBC • May 28, 2026

In Gateshead, the closure of a crumbling motorway flyover linking the town to Newcastle symbolised a sense of neglect.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

She says there is always a "big long queue" once you reach the Newport part of the motorway.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

I might be having coffee in a service station, staring at the motorway through the big windows, and my essay will pop into my head for no reason.

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro