turnpike

noun

turn·pike ˈtərn-ˌpīk

Synonyms of turnpike next

a(1)

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

(2)

: a road formerly maintained as a turnpike

: a main road

especially : a paved highway with a rounded surface

: tollgate

Examples of turnpike in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web There have been reports of Florida residents asking their car insurance companies to cover frozen iguana damage, US Postal Service employees have been greeted by alligator customers, and grazing cows have caused major turnpikes to close for a time. —

Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023 The northbound side of the turnpike was closed for several hours, according to authorities with the Pennsylvania Turnpike. —

Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 23 Oct. 2023 Additional evacuations took place at nearby residential areas, including Sterling Ranches just west of the turnpike. —

Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2022 Read full article At around 10:34 p.m., New Hampshire State Police responded to reports of a wrong-way driver causing a crash after traveling north in the southbound lanes of the turnpike, according to the statement. —

Collin Robisheaux, BostonGlobe.com, 25 June 2023 Eastbound lanes on the turnpike, which is also known as Interstate 90, were closed for a period. —

Maeve Lawler, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Aug. 2023 There’s so few people that use that section of the turnpike. —

Laura Johnston, cleveland, 3 Aug. 2023 Opponents argue that widening the turnpike will only invite additional traffic, worsening backups and the idling of vehicles on the approach to the Holland Tunnel, which is not being expanded. —

Patrick McGeehan, New York Times, 19 Dec. 2022 The problem really started to bother Armstrong after Massachusetts shut down six unreliable public EV chargers at rest stops along the turnpike this year and at times posted signs alerting motorists that the chargers were gone. —

Aaron Pressman, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'turnpike.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler

The first known use of turnpike was in 1678

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Turnpike.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turnpike. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

turnpike

noun

turn·pike ˈtərn-ˌpīk

: a road one must pay to use

: 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.