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 Department of Justice also argued in a brief in support of the companies that the federal government alone is able to bring about any action regulating interstate emissions. — Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026

Peek’s request to return the route to the developer’s original proposal is pending before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, a regulator of interstate pipelines, which already issued the final approval for the pipeline as a whole. — Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Noun

The 37-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina, later pulled over on the side of the interstate, got out of his car and pulled out a gun, police said. — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026

Council members Malcolm Graham and Joi Mayo, whose west Charlotte districts fall in the interstate’s footprint, flipped their votes in favor. — Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 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