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road

American  
[rohd] / roʊd /

noun

  1. a long, narrow stretch with a smoothed or paved surface, made for traveling by motor vehicle, carriage, etc., between two or more points; street or highway.

  2. a way or course.

    the road to peace.

  3. a railroad.

  4. Also called roadstead.  Nautical. Often roads a partly sheltered area of water near a shore in which vessels may ride at anchor.

  5. Mining. any tunnel in a mine used for hauling.

  6. the road, the places, usually outside of New York City, at which theatrical companies on tour generally give performances.

idioms

  1. on the road,

    1. traveling, especially as a sales representative.

    2. on tour, as a theatrical company.

      The musical ends its New York run next week to go on the road.

    3. started; under way.

      We need funds to get the project on the road.

  2. take to the road, to begin a journey or tour. Also take the road.

  3. take the high road. see take the high road.

  4. hit the road, to begin or resume traveling.

    We hit the road before sunrise.

  5. down the road, in the future.

    Economists see higher interest rates down the road.

  6. one for the road, a final alcoholic drink taken just before departing from a party, tavern, or the like.

  7. burn up the road, to drive or move very fast.

road British  
/ rəʊd /

noun

    1. an open way, usually surfaced with asphalt or concrete, providing passage from one place to another

    2. ( as modifier )

      road traffic

      a road map

      a road sign

    3. ( in combination )

      the roadside

    1. a street

    2. ( capital when part of a name )

      London Road

    1. short for railroad

    2. one of the tracks of a railway

  4. a way, path, or course

    the road to fame

  5. Also called: roadstead.  (often plural) nautical a partly sheltered anchorage

  6. a drift or tunnel in a mine, esp a level one

  7. slang to start or resume travelling

    1. travelling, esp as a salesman

    2. (of a theatre company, pop group, etc) on tour

    3. leading a wandering life

  9. to begin a journey or tour

  10. informal a last alcoholic drink before leaving

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
road More Idioms  

    More idioms and phrases containing road

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of road

First recorded before 900; Middle English rode, earlier rade, Old English rād “a riding, journey on horseback,” akin to rīdan “to ride ”

Explanation

A road is a wide, usually paved path that's big enough for cars to travel on. There are some roads that are so long, you can follow them from one coast of the U.S. to the other. While some roads can be traveled by pedestrians, the word usually specifies a thoroughfare for vehicles, especially cars, trucks, and buses. The longest road in the United States is U.S. Route 20, which stretches from Oregon to Massachusetts. Figuratively, a road can also be a means to an end, or the way to achieve a certain result: "She's on the road to success!" or "He wasn't feeling well yesterday, but now he's on the road to recovery."

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Tractor Boys booked their place back in football's top flight on the final day of the season following a convincing 3-0 win over QPR in front of their home fans at Portman Road.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

The boy was riding the e-bike westbound in the bike lane on Del Mar Heights Road at about 5:40 p.m.,

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

The 12-year-old attempted to turn left from the bike lane onto Old Carmel Valley Road when he collided with the front passenger side of the Tesla, police said in the statement.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

Jason Doo, chef and owner of Wusong Road in Cambridge, grew up at his parents’ Chinese restaurant in Malden, Massachusetts.

From Salon • May 3, 2026

Ahead, the winding river took a sharp turn and traveled alongside Fernlight Road, then carved back through Deadwood in the shape of a tight horseshoe, forming a bend of shallow waters.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.