road
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.
a way or course: the road to peace.
a railroad.
Often roads .Also called roadstead .Nautical. a partly sheltered area of water near a shore in which vessels may ride at anchor.
Mining. any tunnel in a mine used for hauling.
the road, the places, usually outside of New York City, at which theatrical companies on tour generally give performances.
Idioms about road
burn up the road, Slang. to drive or move very fast.
down the road, in the future: Economists see higher interest rates down the road.
hit the road, Slang. to begin or resume traveling: We hit the road before sunrise.
one for the road, a final alcoholic drink taken just before departing from a party, tavern, or the like.
on the road,
traveling, especially as a sales representative.
on tour, as a theatrical company: The musical ends its New York run next week to go on the road.
started; under way: We need funds to get the project on the road.
take the high road. See entry at take the high road.
take to the road, to begin a journey or tour.: Also take the road.
Origin of road
1Other words from road
- road·less, adjective
- road·less·ness, noun
- in·ter·road, adjective
Words Nearby road
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use road in a sentence
We heard it everywhere across the country that many people took to the open roads thinking that they could speed, and speed significantly.
Traffic counts fell during the coronavirus pandemic, but road fatalities still increased | Luz Lazo | February 12, 2021 | Washington PostHowever, temperatures should fall below freezing not long after dark, creating some slick spots on untreated roads and walkways.
Snow expected tonight, mainly south of D.C., before possible ice on Saturday | Jason Samenow, Wes Junker | February 11, 2021 | Washington PostTemperatures are 31 to 33 degrees north of the Beltway, where you may encounter slick spots, especially on untreated roads.
D.C.-area forecast: Snow and wintry mix taper off this morning, while ice concerns mount for Saturday | David Streit | February 11, 2021 | Washington PostDriving along the C&O Canal Scenic Byway makes for a great road trip.
4 Awesome Winter Road Trips to National Parks | Megan Michelson | February 11, 2021 | Outside OnlineAt that point, temperatures may fall closer to freezing and snow accumulation may pick up, even on roads.
Snow and wintry mix continue overnight, especially north of District | Jason Samenow, Wes Junker, Andrew Freedman | February 11, 2021 | Washington Post
So I drove around the corner to the trailhead of the logging road that led back to the crash site.
The 7-Year-Old Plane Crash Survivor’s Brutal Journey Through the Woods | James Higdon | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTAs he drove me back to the logging road, Frank told me about the area in his deep voice.
The 7-Year-Old Plane Crash Survivor’s Brutal Journey Through the Woods | James Higdon | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTShrubs and small trees dot a parched landscape along the road from Turbat to the border.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan | Umar Farooq | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTFor many Republicans presidential hopefuls, the road to the nomination passes through the Hawkeye State.
Can This Republican Bring the GOP Back to Its Senses on Immigration? | Tim Mak | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAll the roads into Iraqi Kurdistan and toward Baghdad are closed and now the road toward Syria is also blocked.
Has the Kurdish Victory at Sinjar Turned the Tide of ISIS War? | Niqash | December 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWhat need to look to right or left when you are swallowing up free mile after mile of dizzying road?
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol | William J. LockeHis wife stood smiling and waving, the boys shouting, as he disappeared in the old rockaway down the sandy road.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinShe set off down Trafalgar road in the mist and the rain, glad that she had been compelled to walk.
Hilda Lessways | Arnold BennettThe first rail road opened in Brazil, the emperor and empress being present at the inauguration.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellThe intricacies and abrupt turns in the road separated him from his immediate followers.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane Porter
British Dictionary definitions for road
/ (rəʊd) /
an open way, usually surfaced with asphalt or concrete, providing passage from one place to another
(as modifier): road traffic; a road map; a road sign
(in combination): the roadside
a street
(capital when part of a name): London Road
US short for railroad
British one of the tracks of a railway
a way, path, or course: the road to fame
Also called: roadstead (often plural) nautical a partly sheltered anchorage
a drift or tunnel in a mine, esp a level one
hit the road slang to start or resume travelling
on the road
travelling, esp as a salesman
(of a theatre company, pop group, etc) on tour
leading a wandering life
take the road or take to the road to begin a journey or tour
one for the road informal a last alcoholic drink before leaving
Origin of road
1Derived forms of road
- roadless, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with road
In addition to the idioms beginning with road
- road hog
- road show
- road to hell is paved with good intentions, the
also see:
- all roads lead to Rome
- down the line (road)
- end of the line (road)
- get the show on the road
- hit the road
- one for the road
- on the road
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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