interstate

American  

[in-ter-steyt, in-ter-steyt] / ˌɪn tərˈsteɪt, ˈɪn tərˌsteɪt /

adjective

1. connecting or involving different states.

   interstate commerce.

---

noun

1. a highway serving two or more states.

2. (sometimes initial capital letter) a highway that is part of the nationwide U.S. Interstate Highway System.

interstate British  

/ ˈɪntəˌsteɪt /

adjective

1. between or involving two or more of the states of the US, Australia, etc

---

adverb

1. to or into another state

verb

1. a motorway crossing between states

Other Word Forms

• noninterstate adjective

Etymology

Origin of interstate

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; inter- + state

Compare meaning

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

• interstate vs. intrastate
• interstate vs. highway

Example Sentences

A lack of interstate pipelines means California can’t easily bring in oil or gasoline from other states.

From The Wall Street Journal

That is the most ambitious capital deployment since the interstate highway system, chasing AI-services revenue that remains a fraction of the capital deployed.

From The Wall Street Journal

The requested two-year exemption would allow Zoox to make and deploy its vehicles for interstate commerce, according to the application.

From MarketWatch

Railroads transformed interstate commerce and fueled economic expansion, but they also produced boom-bust cycles, excess capacity, and intense volatility.

From Barron's

Shannon texted her a picture of an interstate that skirted Miami, taken from her window.

From Literature

Related Words

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