rumble strip

noun

Definition of rumble strip

: a strip of corrugated pavement (as along the edge of a highway) that causes rumbling and vibration when driven over

See rumble strip defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of rumble strip from the Web

In Japan, rumble strips near Mount Fuji can be brought to life.

— palko karasz and yonette joseph, New York Times, "Dutch ‘Singing Road’ Silenced After Villagers Complain: ‘I’m Going Nuts’," 12 Apr. 2018
Higgins said his girlfriend was steering into the slide, which took them off the left side of the road onto the rumble strips in the shoulder.

— cameron knight, Cincinnati.com, "'They were like bumper cars.' Witness describes fatal chain-reaction crash," 8 Mar. 2018
Safety advocates say states also need to conduct public education campaigns, install rumble strips on highways, and include information about drowsy driving in driver’s manuals and driver’s education classes.

— jenni bergal, USA TODAY, "Here's why it's so hard to crack down on drowsy driving," 4 Nov. 2017

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

First Known Use of rumble strip

1957

in the meaning defined above

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RUMBLE STRIP Defined for English Language Learners

rumble strip

noun

Definition of rumble strip for English Language Learners

: a set of grooves along the edge of a highway or across a road that cause noise and shaking when they are driven over and that are used to warn drivers that they need to slow down or are too close to the edge of the road