road

noun

1
: roadstead
often used in plural
2
a
: an open way for vehicles, persons, and animals
especially : one lying outside of an urban district : highway
3
: a route or way to an end, conclusion, or circumstance
on the road to success
4
5
: a series of scheduled visits or appearances (such as games or performances) in several locations or the travel necessary to make these visits
the team is on the road
on tour with the musical's road company
roadless adjective
Phrases
down the road
: in or into the future

Examples of road in a Sentence

We'll cross the road up ahead at the crosswalk. He drove off the road. We parked by the side of the road. There are lots of cars on the road this morning. These country roads are beautiful. a desolate stretch of road Miles of road lay ahead. The cabin is accessible by road. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Val’s middle son, Eric, and his wife, Lei, who lived about a mile down the road with their three young sons, called: Their apartment’s roof had blown off. Anumita Kaur, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Sep. 2023 Starting with this weekend’s road game at Arkansas, the Cougars will face 10 straight Power Five opponents from now until late November. Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Sep. 2023 Safer streets The growth and adoption of AVs could prove a crucial step towards safer roads, Kendall believes. Byprarthana Prakash, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2023 This is San Diego State’s first road game after playing the first three at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium. Ndaschel, oregonlive, 15 Sep. 2023 Critics said the commission’s decision, if upheld by the council, would make L.A. roads less safe, allowing drivers to be distracted by images that change every eight seconds. David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023 A number of countries have vowed to send aid to Libya, but getting the supplies into the affected areas has proven difficult with many roads blocked and bridges destroyed. Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2023 Just down the road in Foley, Baker and Foley are tied 14-14 in another 7A, Region 1 game. Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, 15 Sep. 2023 Anitta Had a 'Nervous' Bathroom Emergency Before Recording with Madonna: 'My Stomach Was Going Crazy' But the road wasn't easy. Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 15 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'road.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rode, from Old English rād ride, journey; akin to Old English rīdan to ride

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of road was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near road

Cite this Entry

“Road.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/road. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

road

noun
1
: roadstead
often used in plural
2
a
: an open way for vehicles, persons, and animals
3
: path sense 2b
the road to success
4
5
: a series of visits to several places or the travel necessary to get there
the team plays five games on the road
traveled with the road company of the play

More from Merriam-Webster on road

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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