turnpikes

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableAmerican

   A road that drivers must pay a fee to use.

   Grammar: Countable; use 'a turnpike' for one road and 'turnpikes' for more than one.

   Patterns

   • on the turnpike
   • a turnpike road

   We took the turnpike to save time, even though the tolls were expensive.

   Several turnpikes in the state are being widened to reduce traffic.

2. 2nouncountableold-fashioned

   In past times, a gate on a road that was opened after a toll was paid.

   Grammar: Countable; often used in historical descriptions.

   Patterns

   • at the turnpike
   • a turnpike gate

   The old turnpike stood at the edge of the village and collected money from travelers.

   They restored the wooden turnpikes that once controlled access to the market road.

Word forms

Common combinations

toll turnpike

The toll turnpike was crowded with holiday traffic.

turnpike authority

The turnpike authority announced a rise in tolls.

turnpike exit

Take the next turnpike exit and follow the signs.

turnpike road

The turnpike road was built in the early nineteenth century.

Synonyms and how they differ

toll road

A general term for any road where you pay to drive; 'turnpike' is often used in official names of such roads, especially in the US.

expressway

A wide road for fast traffic that may or may not charge a fee; 'turnpike' specifically involves a toll.

motorway

The British word for a large, fast road; it does not usually imply a toll, unlike 'turnpike'.

Word family

turnpike noun

The singular form, meaning one such road or gate.

Commonly confused: turnpikes or turnstile?

Practice

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