road

[rohd]

noun

1. a long, narrow stretch with a smoothed or paved surface, made for traveling by motor vehicle, carriage, etc., between two or more points; street or highway.

2. a way or course.

   the road to peace.

3. a railroad.

4. Also called roadstead. Nautical.,  Often roads a partly sheltered area of water near a shore in which vessels may ride at anchor.

5. Mining.,  any tunnel in a mine used for hauling.

6. the road, the places, usually outside of New York City, at which theatrical companies on tour generally give performances.

road

/ rəʊd /

noun

1. 1. an open way, usually surfaced with asphalt or concrete, providing passage from one place to another

   2. ( as modifier )

      road traffic

      a road map

      a road sign

   3. ( in combination )

      the roadside

2. 1. a street

   2. ( capital when part of a name )

      London Road

3. 1. short for railroad

   2. one of the tracks of a railway

4. a way, path, or course

   the road to fame

5. Also called: roadstead. (often plural) nautical a partly sheltered anchorage

6. a drift or tunnel in a mine, esp a level one

7. slang,  to start or resume travelling

8. 1. travelling, esp as a salesman

   2. (of a theatre company, pop group, etc) on tour

   3. leading a wandering life

9. to begin a journey or tour

10. informal,  a last alcoholic drink before leaving

Other Word Forms

• roadless adjective
• roadlessness noun
• interroad adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of road¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English rode, earlier rade, Old English rād “a riding, journey on horseback,” akin to rīdan “to ride ”

Word History and Origins

Origin of road¹

Old English rād ; related to rīdan to _ride , and to Old Saxon rēda , Old Norse reith

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on the road,

   1. traveling, especially as a sales representative.

   2. on tour, as a theatrical company.

      The musical ends its New York run next week to go on the road.

   3. started; under way.

      We need funds to get the project on the road.

2. take to the road, to begin a journey or tour. Also take the road.

3. take the high road. take the high road.

4. hit the road, to begin or resume traveling.

   We hit the road before sunrise.

5. down the road, in the future.

   Economists see higher interest rates down the road.

6. one for the road, a final alcoholic drink taken just before departing from a party, tavern, or the like.

7. burn up the road, to drive or move very fast.

More idioms and phrases containing road

• all roads lead to Rome
• down the line (road)
• end of the line (road)
• get the show on the road
• hit the road
• on the road
• one for the road

Example Sentences

Mali is landlocked, so all fuel supplies are brought into the country by road from neighbours such as Senegal and Ivory Coast.

Read more on BBC

Tesla is being investigated by the US government after reports the firm's self-driving cars had broken traffic laws, including driving on the wrong side of the road and not stopping for red lights.

Read more on BBC

It is the roads, the cars, the Muzak in the elevators.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Footage taken by Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera depicted tanks shelling Gaza’s main coastal road to prevent Palestinians from gathering in the area.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Heavy rains lashed the region again last month, forcing the closure of schools and universities, disrupting rail and road travel and causing localised flooding.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• artery 
• avenue 
• boulevard 
• course 
• drive 
• expressway 
• highway 
• lane 
• line 
• parking lot 
• pathway 
• pavement 
• roadway 
• route 
• street 
• subway 
• thoroughfare 
• track 
• trail 
• way