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 wind also caused an hour-long closure of one interstate area -- I-25 near the Wyoming border -- on Friday afternoon. —Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025

Maxwell also challenged the authenticity of physical evidence used at trial, particularly the massage table introduced to establish the interstate commerce element of the charges. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025

Noun

That stretch of interstate remains open. —Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025

The local outlet reported that the New Jersey State Trooper had his emergency lights and sirens activated at the time of the crash in an attempt to alert the other drivers on the interstate. —Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1844, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1968, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for interstate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

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