median strip

American  

noun

1. a paved, planted, or landscaped strip in the center of a highway that separates lanes of traffic going in opposite directions.

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median strip British  

noun

1. the US term for central reserve

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Etymology

Origin of median strip

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

The man who died had been driving a small commercial vehicle, which is believed to have skidded and mounted the median strip.

From Barron's • Jan. 5, 2026

Unlike elsewhere on the autobahn, the median strip on this 3.5-mile section isn’t grassy but solid tarmac.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 27, 2025

Many visitors littered, parked in driveways and in some cases dodged traffic to take photos from the bridge’s median strip, residents said in interviews.

From New York Times • Jun. 7, 2024

On a grassy median strip on the other side of the street, a cluster of about four tents remained.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2023

As evening fell, we hung out on a median strip, counting padiddles—cars with one headlight burnt out.

From "Landscape with Invisible Hand" by M.T. Anderson