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

Jarvere Watson, 39, of Indianapolis, pleaded guilty March 19 to transmitting in interstate commerce a communication that contained a threat to injure the person of another. —Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026

Brett Michael Dadig of Whitehall Borough pleaded guilty last week to 11 counts of cyberstalking, interstate stalking, and interstate threats, the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania said in a news release. —Michael Guise, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026

Noun

To enter the interstate, drivers will take the Lower Tarrant Road/Egyptian Way exit and continue south on State Highway 161. —Hedija Spahalic, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026

The interstate in that area was closed for about four hours that morning, according to Michigan Department of Transportation reports. —Paula Wethington, CBS News, 21 Mar. 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
• 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