freeway
Americannoun
-
an express highway with no intersections, usually having traffic routed on and off by means of a cloverleaf.
-
a toll-free highway.
noun
-
another name for expressway
-
a major road that can be used without paying a toll
Etymology
Origin of freeway
Compare meaning
How does freeway compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
A freeway is a busy, divided road with several lanes heading in both directions. The freeway is often to quickest way to get where you're going, unless there's a traffic jam or an accident slowing things down. People often use the terms freeway and highway interchangeably, and there's also parkway and expressway — or motorway, if you're in the UK. Traffic moves fast on the freeway, and its access is limited to exits that lead to and from smaller local roads and streets. There are no traffic signals on the freeway, but a crash or road work can sometimes bring traffic to a complete stop.
Vocabulary lists containing freeway
The Distance Between Us
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Land of the Cranes
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
We Were Here
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
At the beginning of 2025, he posted a meme showing Barack Obama behind the wheel of Simpson’s Bronco, speeding away from cop cars on the freeway.
From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026
Video from the scene showed investigators methodically walking across freeway lanes looking for evidence as a river of morning commuters moved around the closure on side roads before getting back on the freeway.
From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026
The agency needs to “assess the entire freeway infrastructure” in L.A. to ensure that this week’s incident, or the 2023 fire that shut down the 10 Freeway fire don’t happen again, McOsker said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026
All lanes of the 110 freeway leading to and from the Port of Los Angeles were shut down Tuesday morning due to a tunnel fire, authorities said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026
John and Warren, in front, laughed over a joke as we sped onto the freeway.
From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge
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.
