turnpike

play

noun turn·pike \ ˈtərn-ˌpīk \

Definition of turnpike

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

See turnpike defined for English-language learners

See turnpike defined for kids

Examples of turnpike in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of turnpike from the Web

Troopers had been disproportionately pulling over blacks on the turnpike by the thousands every year.

— jim dwyer, New York Times, "A Microscope on Harvard, but a Shrug at Injustice on the Street," 3 Aug. 2017
On Tuesday, three troopers stationed themselves on the side of the turnpike, searching for a white Mercedes SUV, hoping to identify the suspect.

— bianca padró ocasio, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Driver in fatal crash arrested after months of pursuit, authorities say," 19 July 2017
On Wednesday, crews cleared the wreckage and turnpike officials pored over the scene to see if heat from the fire damaged the road.

— ian cummings, tony rizzo, joe robertson, judy l. thomas, donna mcguire, glenn e. rice, matt campbell, and shane sanderson, kansascity, "Details emerge in fiery Kansas Turnpike crash that killed five people," 12 July 2017
However, as her car bobs and weaves along the N.J. Turnpike commuting into the city, classic hip-hop dominates her speakers, pumping her up.

— stacy-ann ellis, Billboard, "Wendy Williams Nods to Her Hip-Hop Favorites With Star-Studded Beach Party Concert," 11 July 2017
Northbound turnpike drivers will have to take Exit 35 and go south on Okeechobee Road, then east on Northwest 138th Street to Hialeah Gardens Boulevard, and take the entrance ramp to I-75.

— wayne k. roustan, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Flyover connecting Turnpike and I-75 to close all week," 26 June 2017
Soon, 40 turnpike maintenance vehicles will be outfitted with sensors capable of amassing and later transmitting data about weather and traffic.

— marco della cava, USA TODAY, "Prepared or not, states get ready for self-driving revolution," 25 June 2017
Bruce Springsteen—turnpike troubadour, messiah of the Meadowlands—is headed to Broadway.

— richard lawson, Vanity Fair, "Bruce Springsteen Is Headed to Broadway," 16 June 2017
A black 2010 Subaru Outback was eastbound on the turnpike when the deer ran onto the road.

— adam ferrise, cleveland.com, "New York children identified in deadly Strongsville crash involving deer," 12 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of turnpike

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1678

See Words from the same year

turnpike Synonyms

Synonyms

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

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

TURNPIKE Defined for English Language Learners

turnpike

play

noun

Definition of turnpike for English Language Learners

: a major road that you must pay to use

TURNPIKE Defined for Kids

turnpike

play

noun turn·pike \ ˈtərn-ˌpīk \

Definition of turnpike for Students

:a road that people must pay a toll to use

Learn More about turnpike

See words that rhyme with turnpike Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for turnpike Spanish Central: Translation of turnpike Nglish: Translation of turnpike for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

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

show

turnpike

Definition of turnpike

Examples of turnpike in a Sentence

Recent Examples of turnpike from the Web

Origin and Etymology of turnpike

turnpike Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

TURNPIKE Defined for English Language Learners

turnpike

Definition of turnpike for English Language Learners

TURNPIKE Defined for Kids

turnpike

Definition of turnpike for Students

Learn More about turnpike

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

glabrous

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

What's Going On With 'Nonplussed'?

Welcome to the New Words

9 Slang Words With Academic Origins

8 Foods Named After Real People

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Name that Color!

Name That Thing

SCRABBLE® Sprint

What's Going On With 'Nonplussed'?

9 Slang Words With Academic Origins

Trending: 'Bodega' Startup Draws Criticism, Mockery

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Words of the Year: 1066

turnpike

Definition of turnpike

Explore M-W

Examples of turnpike in a Sentence

Recent Examples of turnpike from the Web

Origin and Etymology of turnpike

turnpike Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

TURNPIKE Defined for English Language Learners

turnpike

Definition of turnpike for English Language Learners

TURNPIKE Defined for Kids

turnpike

Definition of turnpike for Students

Learn More about turnpike

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

What's Going On With 'Nonplussed'?

9 Slang Words With Academic Origins

Trending: 'Bodega' Startup Draws Criticism, Mockery

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Words of the Year: 1066