expressway

noun

ex·​press·​way ik-ˈspres-ˌwā How to pronounce expressway (audio)
: a high-speed divided highway for through traffic with access partially or fully controlled

Examples of expressway in a Sentence

a baffling maze of high-speed expressways encircles the city
Recent Examples on the Web To avoid delays Consider using Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive and the expressways — including the Dan Ryan (I-90/94), Kennedy (I-90/94), Eisenhower (I-290) and Stevenson (I-55) — instead of local roads. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2024 But average expressway speeds went up in that period, and public transit ridership did, too. Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2019 The area wasn't much of a public space until the Big Dig's removal of the overhead expressway and creation of the greenway. Mike Deehan, Axios, 13 Sep. 2024 Just be aware of rip currents, which locals may use as an expressway back out to the lineup after surfing a long wave in—not a move new surfers should ever try. Graham Averill, Outside Online, 28 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for expressway 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'expressway.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of expressway was in 1944

Dictionary Entries Near expressway

Cite this Entry

“Expressway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expressway. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

expressway

noun
ex·​press·​way ik-ˈspres-ˌwā How to pronounce expressway (audio)
: a divided superhighway that may be entered and left only at special places

More from Merriam-Webster on expressway

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