expressway

American  

[ik-spres-way] / ɪkˈsprɛsˌweɪ /

noun

1. a highway especially planned for high-speed traffic, usually having few if any intersections, limited points of access or exit, and a divider between lanes for traffic moving in opposite directions.

---

expressway British  

/ ɪkˈsprɛsˌweɪ /

noun

1. a motorway

---

Etymology

Origin of expressway

First recorded in 1940–45; express + way ¹

---

Compare meaning

How does expressway compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• expressway vs. highway

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

expressway

The 36-year-old was a passenger in a Lexus SUV that collided with a stationary truck on a major expressway near Lagos on Monday.

From BBC ● Jan. 3, 2026

Taking the Y4, an expressway still under construction, allows one to realise just "how much the city has eaten into the bush" that surrounds it, said Moustapha.

From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2025

As L.A. officials assess the merits of a water taxi system designed to reduce car traffic at the 2028 Olympics, the Games’ organizers have set their sights on another expressway.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2025

Urban renewal czars also cleared out lively urban neighborhoods from Boston to Los Angeles, and no major city was untouched by the urban expressway craze.

From Slate ● Sep. 16, 2024

You never would think putting an expressway down was so dangerous.

From "The Watsons Go to Birmingham" by Christopher Paul Curtis

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• freeway
• interstate
• superhighway
• turnpike

---