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

Officials said the change would make the country’s roads and highways safer, pointing to at least five fatal crashes across the U.S. that involved non-domiciled CDL holders through September of last year.

From The Wall Street Journal

The highway wasn’t the problem—it was what was just across Okeechobee Road that scared Natalie.

From Literature

"On a highway next to big trucks, you definitely feel vulnerable."

From BBC

He was found abandoned on a highway and taken to hospital.

From BBC

Less handy for reading a construction worker’s hand signals at highway speed.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

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