highway

noun

high·​way ˈhī-ˌwā 

: a public way

especially : a main direct road

Synonyms of highway

• road
• freeway
• street
• expressway
• thoroughfare
• route
• roadway
• boulevard
• carriageway
• turnpike
• artery
• arterial

Examples of highway in a Sentence

I had heard there was a traffic jam on the highway, so I took the side roads.

the four-lane highway narrows to two lanes once you leave the city

Recent Examples on the Web

Under the new law, drivers must slow down or change lanes when approaching any highway maintenance vehicle or stopped vehicle that has flashing hazard lights or warning devices, such as cones or road flares. —Sacbee.com, 4 Jan. 2026

During the La Guardia era, New York built bridges, tunnels and highways, schools and hospitals, playgrounds, pools and beaches. —Mo Rocca, CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026

Information about the safety concerns that shut down the mountain pass and when the eastbound highway is expected to reopen was not available on Sunday. —Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026

Gas mileage estimates are 13 miles per gallon in city driving, 20 mph on the highway. —James Raia, Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing highway

• divided highway
• highway robbery

Rhymes for highway

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

Kids Definition

highway

noun

high·​way ˈhī-ˌwā 

: a public road

especially : a main direct road