road

American  

[rohd] / roʊd /

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.

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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.

road British  

/ 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

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road More Idioms  

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

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Other Word Forms

• interroad adjective
• roadless adjective
• roadlessness noun

Etymology

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 ”

Example Sentences

Over the last three decades, many cities, towns and roads in South Africa have been renamed, replacing them with indigenous ones or calling them after heroes of the struggle against apartheid.

From BBC

Most roads remain closed around the arena, while inside construction materials and rubbish litter the floor.

From BBC

Transportation Department officials have had to take snowplow attachments off some of their trucks and add crash cushions to block roads for crowd control during protests.

From The Wall Street Journal

A Metroline spokesperson said "The Independent Employment Tribunal has upheld the dismissal as fair. The claimant breached road safety rules and company protocols designed to keep staff and passengers safe."

From BBC

In Balochistan's provincial capital Quetta, an AFP journalist heard several explosions as heavy security was deployed across the city, with major roads deserted and businesses shut down.

From 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