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.

---

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

---

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

“I used to wonder where tears come from endlessly when we are sad,” said Rai, sitting at the riverside restaurant she built on the highway to Rangpo.

From The Wall Street Journal

Jogging across an old highway with faded paint marking the lanes, you notice a worn sign straight ahead.

From Literature

Hidden from the highway by high buildings lining either side.

From Los Angeles Times

The Guards control big companies that have been given public contracts for dams, highways and metro lines, hospitals, swanky hotels and coffee shops, according to public disclosures by Revolutionary Guard-controlled companies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Malcolm Taylor, North Yorkshire Council's executive member for highways and transport, said the policy was "about trying to find a balance for everybody".

From BBC

Related Words

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