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

Highway shoulder opens for evacuees To help facilitate evacuations, people using interstate highways to flee can use the left shoulder lane to keep traffic moving, the Florida Department of Transportation announced on Monday, a move that’s typically reserved only for emergencies such as hurricanes. —Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN, 8 Oct. 2024

This count alleges Madigan used interstate communications in the state board scheme — specifically, that on Aug. 15, 2018, Madigan allegedly talked to Solis talked about setting up a meeting with Harry Skydell, the developer of the Old Post Office, to try to win his tax business. —Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 7 Oct. 2024

Noun

Congestion on the interstate and other major roads continued to hamper evacuation efforts Tuesday afternoon. —Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2024

Highways and interstates in the Tampa Bay area appeared mostly clear at about 4:30pm Tuesday. —Kathryn Varn, Axios, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1844, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1968, in the meaning defined above

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