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

Despite the more exotic destination, Chris Williams' trip to the space station took far less time than his family's sea voyage, and was shorter than some of the interstate road trips expected across the country today. —Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 27 Nov. 2025

Since the settlement forced the state to stop using the flawed voter data-sharing system, Kansas has opted not to join a more reliable interstate voter registration system. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 25 Nov. 2025

Noun

All southbound lanes of the interstate were closed as investigators worked to determine the cause of the crash and clear the scene. —CBS News, 22 Nov. 2025

After developing his technique, the musician and his wife opened their first incarnation of Franklin in 2009 as a lone smoker near an Austin interstate. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2025

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
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

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