interstate

1 of 2

adjective

in·​ter·​state ˌin-tər-ˈstāt 

: of, connecting, or existing between two or more states especially of the U.S.

interstate commerce

interstate

2 of 2

noun

in·​ter·​state ˈin-tər-ˌstāt 

: any of a system of expressways connecting most major U.S. cities

called also interstate highway

Examples of interstate in a Sentence

Noun

You'll get there quicker if you take the interstate.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The historic bridge, which was closed to car traffic when the new St. Croix River bridge was built, is a key part of the Loop Trail, a 4.7-mile interstate trail between Houlton, Wis., and Stillwater, that also crosses the new bridge south of Stillwater. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 30 May 2024

Numerous states began mandating pasteurization and the U.S. federal government eventually banned interstate sales of unpasteurized milk in the late 1980s. —Laura Doan, CBS News, 13 May 2024

Noun

Americans had fins on their cars, gas in the tanks, and money in their pockets, and were raring to hit those new interstates. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2024

The interstate shut down shortly after 9:30 a.m. when the semi crashed and overturned, said Cpl. —Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1844, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1968, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

interstate

1 of 2 adjective

in·​ter·​state ˌint-ər-ˈstāt 

: of, connecting, or existing between states especially of the U.S.

interstate highways

interstate

2 of 2 noun

in·​ter·​state ˈint-ər-ˌstāt 

: an interstate highway