road gang

noun

1. a group of workers employed to repair or build roads.
2. (in the U.S.) a detail of prisoners set to repairing a road.

Word History and Origins

Origin of road gang¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

The road gang put in a culvert through which flowed the drainage from a hill on the opposite side of the road.

From Project Gutenberg

Because he had been sent out to-day with the road gang the two armed guards had an interesting subject of conversation.

From Project Gutenberg

You cannot imagine how surprised I was to see you with that road gang.

From Project Gutenberg

He said Id guessed wrong unless I wanted to act as a stone crusher on a road gang.

From Project Gutenberg

Why is it, do you suppose, that the road-gang ahead of us haven't left a single sign, not even a word as to where we are?

From Project Gutenberg