four-way

adjective

ˈfȯr-ˈwā 

1

a

: allowing or affecting passage or movement in any of four directions

a four-way intersection

a four-way joystick

pants made with a four-way stretch

b

: applicable to traffic from each of four directions

a four-way stop

2

a

: including four participants

a four-way conversation

a four-way tie in the standings

b

: having four components, functions, etc.

File, buff, smooth, and shine—this four-way tool does it all.

—Lauren Basalmo

An officer observed a vehicle put on its four-way flashers and stop. The driver stated they ran out of gas.

—The St. Joseph (Minnesota) Newsleader

Examples of four-way in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The material has four-way stretch to move with you, and the smooth sides and lower band work together to ensure lift without the digging or poking of an underwire. — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026

The 646 gets a specialized suspension setup, with four-way adjustable damper units that can be adjusted individually for compression and rebound. — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 15 Sep. 2026

Ahern, 42, took heat during the four-way campaign for her leadership on the commission – a period in which no new retail store licenses went out. — Katie Mulvaney, The Providence Journal, 10 Sep. 2026

The protocol resembles drivers at a four-way stop – informal rules that mostly work without anyone directing traffic. — Aylin Yener, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for four-way

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway