highway

American  

[hahy-wey] / ˈhaɪˌweɪ /

noun

1. a main road, especially one between towns or cities.

   the highway between Los Angeles and Seattle.

   Synonyms:

   interstate, thruway, freeway, expressway

2. any public road or waterway.

3. any main or ordinary route, track, or course.

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highway British  

/ ˈhaɪˌweɪ /

noun

1. a public road that all may use

2. law a main road, esp one that connects towns or cities

3. a main route for any form of transport

4. a direct path or course

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Etymology

Origin of highway

before 900; Middle English heyewei, Old English heiweg. See high, way ¹

Compare meaning

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

• freeway vs. highway
• interstate vs. highway
• expressway vs. highway
• parkway vs. highway

Example Sentences

Bumper-to-bumper traffic stretched along the airport road and onto the main highways leading north as residents of the capital fled.

From BBC

Mark Readman, Durham County Council's head of highway services, said the authority understood how frustrated residents were and officials were "continuing to explore all options for the road".

From BBC

The 24-year-old was stuck alongside the highway in the November chill until another driver came by to pick him up and deliver the load of frozen chicken to its destination.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It’s my way or the highway, you know.”

From The Wall Street Journal

We have a whole system with Din Tai Fung now, which is logging in on the wait list while we’re still on the highway, or ordering takeout.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• artery
• avenue
• boulevard
• freeway
• interstate
• parking lot
• path
• roadway
• street
• superhighway
• thoroughfare
• track
• turnpike