traffic

1 of 2

noun

traf·​fic ˈtra-fik 

often attributive

1

a(1)

: the vehicles, pedestrians, ships, or planes moving along a route

(2)

: congestion of vehicles

stuck in traffic

(3)

: the movement (as of vehicles or pedestrians) through an area or along a route

b

: the information or signals transmitted over a communications system : messages

2

: the volume of customers visiting a business establishment

restaurant traffic

3

a

: the passengers or cargo carried by a transportation system

b

: the business of transporting passengers or freight

4

a

: import and export trade

b

: the business of bartering or buying and selling

c

: illegal or disreputable usually commercial activity

the drug traffic

5

a

: communication or dealings especially between individuals or groups

b

: exchange

a lively traffic in ideas

—F. L. Allen

6

: a concentration of participants or players and especially defensive players

force difficult shots in traffic

7

archaic : wares, goods

traffic

2 of 2

verb

trafficked; trafficking

intransitive verb

1

: to carry on traffic

2

: to concentrate one's effort or interest

broadly : engage, deal

a writer who often traffics in hyperbole

transitive verb

1

a

: to travel over

heavily trafficked highways

b

: to visit as a customer

a highly trafficked bookstore

2

: trade, barter

trafficker noun

Phrases

the traffic will bear

: existing conditions will allow or permit

charge what the traffic will bear

Synonyms

Noun

• commerce
• marketplace
• trade

Verb

• trade
• deal

Choose the Right Synonym for traffic

business, commerce, trade, industry, traffic mean activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities.

business may be an inclusive term but specifically designates the activities of those engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in related financial transactions.

commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale.

traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

Examples of traffic in a Sentence

Noun

Let's leave early to avoid rush hour traffic.

Traffic is backed up to the bridge.

Barge traffic was halted because of flooding.

Airlines saw a decrease in passenger traffic this year.

Verb

arrested him for trafficking in drugs

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Editor’s tip: Guests who prefer to skirt the grips of Mexico City traffic can arrive at the property by landing at its very own rooftop helipad. —Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 13 July 2025

The truck, which was heading into Delaware, crossed three lanes of traffic before striking the barrier and going into the river early Friday morning, according to the river authority. —arkansasonline.com, 12 July 2025

Verb

As a result, controlling the roads crossing the center region is strategically important for the gangs and their supporters in trafficking networks. —Jacqueline Charles july 11, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025

The new charges brought against El Chapo’s sons, meanwhile, differed significantly from previous investigations by including allegations that the cartel is now trafficking fentanyl, a synthetic narcotic 50 times more potent than heroin. —Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French trafique, from Old Italian traffico, from trafficare to trade in coastal waters

First Known Use

Noun

1511, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1537, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing traffic

• air traffic control
• air traffic controller
• foot traffic
• pedestrian/foot traffic
• traffic circle
• traffic cone
• traffic cop
• traffic court
• traffic engineering
• traffic hazard
• traffic island
• traffic jam
• traffic light
• traffic signal
• traffic stop
• traffic stopper
• traffic ticket
• traffic warden

Rhymes for traffic

• graphic
• angiographic
• choreographic
• chromatographic
• historiographic
• iconographic
• ideographic
• idiographic
• metallographic
• oceanographic
• physiographic
• polarographic

Kids Definition

traffic

1 of 2 noun

traf·​fic ˈtraf-ik 

1

: the business of buying and selling : commerce

2

: communication or dealings between persons or groups

had no traffic with the enemy

3

a

: the movement (as of pedestrians or vehicles) through an area or along a route

heavy traffic in the kitchen before dinner

rush-hour traffic

b

: the vehicles, pedestrians, ships, or planes moving along a route

c

: a crowded mass of vehicles

stuck in traffic

4

a

: the passengers or goods carried by train, boat, or airplane

b

: the business of carrying passengers or goods

traffic

2 of 2 verb

trafficked; trafficking

: to carry on traffic : trade, deal

trafficker noun

Legal Definition

traffic

1 of 2 noun

traf·​fic

often attributive

1

a

: import and export trade

b

: the business of bartering or buying and selling

c

: illegal or disreputable usually commercial activity

the drug traffic

2

a

: the movement (as of vehicles or pedestrians) through an area or along a route

b

: the vehicles, pedestrians, ships, or planes moving along a route

c

: the information or signals transmitted over a communications system

3

a

: the passengers or cargo carried by a transportation system

b

: the business of transporting passengers or freight

traffic

2 of 2 verb

trafficked; trafficking

intransitive verb

: to carry on traffic

transitive verb

1

: to travel over

2

: to engage in the trading or bartering of

trafficker noun