road

[ rohd ]

/ roʊd /

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See synonyms for: road / roads on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

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True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

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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

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

OTHER WORDS FROM road

road·less, adjectiveroad·less·ness, nounin·ter·road, adjective

Words nearby road

ROA, roach, roach back, roach clip, roached, road, roadability, road agent, road allowance, road apple, roadbed

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 Post
However, 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 Post
Temperatures 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 Post
Driving 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 Online

At 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|DAILY BEAST
As 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|DAILY BEAST
Shrubs 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|DAILY BEAST
For 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|DAILY BEAST
All 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|DAILY BEAST
What 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. Locke
His 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 Chopin
She set off down Trafalgar Road in the mist and the rain, glad that she had been compelled to walk.
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett
The first rail road opened in Brazil, the emperor and empress being present at the inauguration.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
The 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

road

/ (rəʊd) /

noun

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 coursethe 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

Derived forms of road

roadless, adjective

Word Origin for road

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

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

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

road

Idioms about road

Origin of road

OTHER WORDS FROM road

Words nearby road

Words related to road

How to use road in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for road

Derived forms of road

Word Origin for road

Other Idioms and Phrases with road