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

Cole was initially charged with transporting an explosive device in interstate commerce and attempted malicious destruction by means of explosive materials. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 8 July 2026

The land became available following the state's 30 Crossing interstate construction project, which included the removal of the existing Interstate 30 on- and off-ramps in the downtown core. — Arkansas Online, 7 July 2026

Noun

Welfy Espinal, 25, and Lenyn Toribio, 27, were charged in a federal indictment unsealed in June with interstate stalking resulting in death for the shocking slay of 24-year-old Jeremy Ortega in April 2025. — Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026

More than 500 homes and businesses in the historically Black neighborhood of Parramore were taken through eminent domain and bulldozed to build the interstate. — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 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