expressway

noun

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

Synonyms of expressway

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Examples of expressway in a Sentence

a baffling maze of high-speed expressways encircles the city
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When completed, the roughly 15-mile expressway will link Highway 65 in western Placer County with state highways 70 and 99 in southern Sutter County. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026 Following the shooting, the northbound side of the expressway was closed from 147th Street just past the Tri-State Tollway all the way to 127th Street. — Kris Habermehl, CBS News, 13 July 2026 About two thirds is south of Interstate 595 and one third north of the expressway. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2026 The alert triggered temporary closures along a major highway, the Décarie expressway, as well as a temporary shutdown of significant sections of two subway lines. — ABC News, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for expressway

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of expressway was in 1944

Rhymes for expressway

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express wagon
expressway
exprobrate
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Cite this Entry

“Expressway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expressway. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of expressway for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about expressway

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