turnpike

noun

turn·​pike ˈtərn-ˌpīk 

1

a(1)

: a road (such as an expressway) for the use of which tolls are collected

(2)

: a road formerly maintained as a turnpike

b

: a main road

especially : a paved highway with a rounded surface

2

: tollgate

Synonyms

• highway
• road
• freeway
• thoroughfare
• expressway
• street
• route
• roadway
• carriageway [British]
• boulevard

Examples of turnpike in a Sentence

the turnpike was jammed with people heading south for the long weekend

Recent Examples on the Web

It’s all set against a classic American backdrop of diner counters and truck stops, East Coast turnpike exits and snow-tipped Montana mountains. —Rachel Brodsky, Time, 20 June 2025

The affected stations, located at eight service plazas, had previously provided Tesla owners with rapid charging options directly on the turnpike. —Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025

Directly south of Tierra Vista, Hanover is planning Preservation Place, a 561-lot subdivision to be built over three phases right along the turnpike. —James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 May 2025

That’s welcome relief for eastbound drivers heading to the turnpike or the beach from Lake Wales or Tampa. —Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English turnepike revolving frame bearing spikes and serving as a barrier, from turnen to turn + pike

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for turnpike

• alike
• belike
• birdlike
• catlike
• childlike
• christlike
• deathlike
• dislike
• dreamlike
• friedreich
• godlike
• hairlike

Kids Definition

turnpike

noun

turn·​pike ˈtərn-ˌpīk 

1

: a road one must pay to use

2

: a main road

Etymology

Middle English turnepike "a turning frame bearing spikes that is used as a barrier," from turnen "to turn" and pike "a pointed weapon"

Word Origin

In the Middle Ages, a spiked barrier would sometimes be placed on a road or bridge to protect against sudden attack. The barrier would have to be turned to allow passage. The Middle English word for such a barrier was turnepike. This word was formed from the verb turnen, meaning "to turn," and the noun pike, meaning "a sharp-tipped weapon." With a slight change in spelling, turnpike later came to be used as the word for a simple gate placed across a road. In order to pass through the turnpike, travelers would have to pay a fee or toll. A road on which these tollgates were found was called a turnpike road. Such a road in time became known simply as a turnpike.