Pronunciation

/ˈhaɪweɪ/

Definitions

• Noun: A large, usually public road designed for fast travel, typically connecting cities or towns, often with multiple lanes and limited access points. For example: “The highway connects the two major cities, reducing travel time significantly.”

Example sentence: "We decided to take the scenic highway rather than the congested interstate."

Phrases

• “On the highway”: Refers to traveling along or being present on this type of road. For instance: “Traffic on the highway was particularly heavy today.”
• “Highway patrol”: A law enforcement agency responsible for monitoring and enforcing traffic laws on highways.
• “Hit the highway”: To start a journey or leave quickly. Example: “After packing up the car, we hit the highway early in the morning.”

Example Sentences

• Noun: “Construction work caused delays on the busy northbound highway.”
• “The new highway extension will improve connectivity between rural areas and the urban center.”

Synonyms

• Motorway (UK)
• Freeway (US)
• Expressway
• Interstate (US)
• Dual carriageway (UK)
• Throughway
• Parkway
• Route

Additional Information

As a noun, ‘highway’ can also refer to any main road, whether it’s part of a national or state system, or simply the principal route through a town or area. It may be distinguished from other roads by its ability to handle high-speed traffic flow and/or by being under the jurisdiction of a higher authority. The term can also carry historical connotations, referring to ancient routes such as Roman highways. In colloquial language, ‘the highway’ might metaphorically suggest a path towards a goal or destination, e.g., “Life is like a highway; you never know what’s around the next bend.”