roadwork

American  

[rohd-wurk] / ˈroʊdˌwɜrk /

noun

1. work, as construction or repairs, done on a road.

2. a conditioning exercise for an athlete consisting of running considerable distances in areas that are reasonably free of obstructions or traffic, as fields or country roads: performed chiefly by boxers in training for a bout.

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roadwork British  

/ ˈrəʊdˌwɜːk /

noun

1. sports training by running along roads

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Etymology

Origin of roadwork

First recorded in 1885–90; road + work

Example Sentences

In many cases, the barriers are still there, but little or no roadwork has happened.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

The Park Service eventually sent the mine operators and two contractors a $213,387 bill for costs and damages stemming from the incident, along with the roadwork allegedly performed the previous May.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2025

Both Highways England and Traffic Wales has said some contraflows may remain at major roadwork sites for safety reasons and added repair works could also take place in the case of a emergency.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2023

In 1952 a drinking horn engraved with runes was found during roadwork in Waukegan, near the shore of Lake Michigan, north of Chicago.

From Slate • Nov. 11, 2023

Either there’s been an accident or there’s roadwork, because a gaggle of old ladies is glued to the window at the end of the hall like children or jailbirds.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

Related Words

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