HOV lane

American  

noun

1. a highway or street lane for high-occupancy vehicles, usually marked with large diamond shapes on the pavement.

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Etymology

Origin of HOV lane

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

The incident unfolded when an officer on motorcycle patrol noticed the vehicle traveling in the HOV lane and initially passed it, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

They took the next off-ramp and circled back, slowing to about 30 mph in the HOV lane with the car’s hazard lights on.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 6, 2024

While the gag may have caused the officer’s heart to grow, it did not stop the driver from getting cited for being in the HOV lane during a restricted time.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 14, 2022

Project officials say that one of those four lanes has been an HOV lane during rush hour, and in a section of the corridor, a shoulder lane was available only during peak travel times.

From Washington Post • Sep. 12, 2022

The driver’s car rolled across all lanes of traffic, stopping in the HOV lane.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 10, 2022