autobahn

noun

au·​to·​bahn ˈȯ-tō-ˌbän  ˈau̇- 

: a German, Swiss, or Austrian expressway

Examples of autobahn in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Among myriad other possibilities, the Orca could be turned into an intriguing motorhome, quite likely the sleekest, slipperiest Class B+ RV roaming the autobahn. —C.c. Weiss march 05, New Atlas, 5 Mar. 2026

The state could build a high-speed autobahn for a fraction of the cost to move residents from the southern half of the state to the northern half and vice versa. —John Moorlach, Oc Register, 14 Dec. 2025

The final drive day sees guests back on the autobahn and up into the incredible views afforded along German Alpine Road. —Duncan Madden, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

On the autobahn, Sport+ lowers the ride height and takes some camber off the wheels for better straight-line performance. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Autobahn, from Auto auto entry 1 + Bahn "path, way, lane," going back to Middle High German ban, bane "cleared path, track," akin to Middle Low German & Middle Dutch bāne in same sense, of uncertain origin

Note: The Germanic etymon represented by Bahn is perhaps akin to Old High German bano "killer, murderer," Old English bana, etc. (see bane entry 1), if both descend from a verb meaning "strike, beat down." See Etymologisches Wörterbuch des Althochdeutschen, Band 1, pp. 460-61.

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for autobahn

• aileron
• antiphon
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon
• chitosan
• cynodon
• denouement
• deuteron
• echelon
• epsilon