interstate highway

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableAmerican

   A wide, limited-access road in the US that connects different states and is part of a national network.

   Grammar: Countable: you can say 'an interstate highway' or 'the interstate highways'.

   Patterns

   • drive on an interstate highway
   • take the interstate highway

   We drove on the interstate highway for six hours without stopping.

   The interstate highway was closed because of the snowstorm.

2. 2nounsingularAmerican

   The system of these roads as a whole, often called 'the interstate'.

   Grammar: Usually singular with 'the': 'the interstate' means the whole system.

   Patterns

   • on the interstate
   • take the interstate

   She prefers to travel on the interstate rather than small country roads.

   The interstate connects major cities across the country.

Word forms

Common combinations

drive on the interstate highway

They drove on the interstate highway all night.

an interstate highway system

The interstate highway system was built in the 1950s.

get on the interstate

Get on the interstate at exit 12.

Synonyms and how they differ

freeway

A freeway is a wide road with no tolls and no traffic lights, but it may be within one state; an interstate highway is part of the national network.

expressway

An expressway is a fast road, often with some access points, but not necessarily part of the interstate system.

Word family

interstate adjective

Between states, as in interstate commerce.

highway noun

A main road, especially one connecting towns.

Commonly confused: interstate highway or motorway?

Practice

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