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 prosecutions Seabright referred to were for Jaime Hector Ramirez, who is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and Tu Anh Tran, who is charged with possessing property stolen from interstate or foreign shipment. — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

In the mid-1950s, plans for a new interstate highway threatened to divert traffic away from Harland Sanders’s successful roadside restaurant in the Appalachian town of Corbin, Kentucky. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Oct. 2026

Noun

In second was New Haven, thanks in part to the pair of interstates that meet there, according to Brett Rosen Law. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Two North Texas interstates are completely shut down due to police activity on Thursday afternoon. — Briauna Brown, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

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
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

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