road

play

noun \ ˈrōd \

Definition of road

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

b :roadbed 2b

3 :a route or way to an end, conclusion, or circumstance

on the road to success

4 :railway

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

play \ˈrōd-ləs\ adjective

— down the road

:in or into the future

See road defined for English-language learners

See road defined for kids

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.

Recent Examples of road from the Web

On Tuesday, the EPA waived some fuel requirements in Texas to allow off-road diesel fuel to be used in on-highway vehicles involved in emergency response and disaster recovery.

— matthew daly, The Seattle Times, "EPA grants fuel waivers for Gulf Coast, Southeastern states," 30 Aug. 2017
Kentucky travels to Southern Mississippi to open the 2017 season, marking the first time the team has played a nonconference road game somewhere other than rival Louisville since 2005 (Indiana).

— jon hale, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky Football | Why UK is opening the season at Southern Mississippi," 30 Aug. 2017
Likewise, the Bombers of St. X have a road game with Lakota West after their Moeller battle, then Dublin Coffman, who defeated La Salle in their opener 5-1.

— scott springer, Cincinnati.com, "Who's in first in local Division I boys soccer?," 30 Aug. 2017
The Bulldogs opened the season Tuesday afternoon with a nonleague loss on the road.

— staff reports, Burbank Leader, "Sports roundup: Burroughs volleyball does well in tournament," 29 Aug. 2017
Oscar Serrano, 18, of the 800 block of West Taylor Street in DeKalb, was charged Aug. 23 with unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia at Penny and Witt roads.

— todd shields, chicagotribune.com, "Barrington police: Teens face charges for underage drinking," 28 Aug. 2017
The Beavers are looking for their first road win since 2014.

— danny moran, oregonlive.com, "Live updates: Oregon State Beavers football at Colorado State Rams in 2017 season opener," 25 Aug. 2017
Denton will share stories of wrestling and life on the road.

— jim varsallone, miamiherald, "Upcoming pro wrestling events, shows in South Florida," 25 Aug. 2017
The van was so old and rickety that the carpet was the only thing between me and the road.

— andrew bockhold, Longreads, "Wrapping the Sunday Paper For the Last Time," 25 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'road.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of road

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

road Synonyms

Synonyms

arterial, artery, avenue, boulevard, carriageway [British], drag, drive, expressway, freeway, high road, highway, pass, pike, way, roadway, route, row, street, thoroughfare, thruway, trace, turnpike

Related Words

causeway; autobahn, autoroute, autostrada, dual carriageway [chiefly British], interstate, motorway [chiefly British], superhighway; beltway, bypass, parkway, ring road [chiefly British]; corniche, switchback; through street; high street [British], Main Street; backstreet, branch, bystreet, byway, crossroad, secondary road, shunpike, side road, side street; alley, alleyway; circle, lane, laneway [British], mews [chiefly British], place; close [chiefly British], cul-de-sac, dead end; corridor; track, trail

ROAD Defined for English Language Learners

road

play

noun

Definition of road for English Language Learners

: a hard flat surface for vehicles, people, and animals to travel on
: a process or a course of action that leads to a certain result

ROAD Defined for Kids

road

play

noun \ ˈrōd \

Definition of road for Students

1 :a hard flat surface for vehicles, persons, and animals to travel on

2 :a way to achieve something

the road to success

Learn More about road

See words that rhyme with road Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for road Spanish Central: Translation of road Nglish: Translation of road for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of road for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up road? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

road

Definition of road

roadless

Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd

Examples of road in a Sentence

Recent Examples of road from the Web

Origin and Etymology of road

road Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

ROAD Defined for English Language Learners

road

Definition of road for English Language Learners

ROAD Defined for Kids

road

Definition of road for Students

Learn More about road

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Trending: Ivanka: "An 'Otherwise' Incredible Day"

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes

Words of the Year: 1066