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turnpike

noun
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turn·​pike | \ ˈtərn-ˌpīk How to pronounce turnpike (audio) \

Definition of turnpike

1a(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 Example Sentences Learn More About turnpike

Examples of turnpike in a Sentence

the turnpike was jammed with people heading south for the long weekend
Recent Examples on the Web The work is part of the I-4 Direct Connect Ramps to the turnpike and improvements from Beachline Expressway/SR 528 to I-4 (mileposts 253 to 261) project. — Tiffini Theisen, orlandosentinel.com, 18 Feb. 2022 Should users of the Ohio turnpike be worried about identity theft. — Leila Atassi, cleveland, 20 Apr. 2022 The southbound side of the turnpike, from Kitts Lane to Main Street, was closed for several hours as Newington Police and the Mid-State Accident Reconstruction Squad investigated the incident. — Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2022 This gripping murder mystery has more twists and turns than the Pennsylvania turnpike, which is appropriate given its setting in a small, perpetually gray, working-class town in the Keystone State. — cleveland, 25 Dec. 2021 Finally, the detour will take motorists west on I-4 to get back on the turnpike at Exit 77. — Tiffini Theisen, orlandosentinel.com, 18 Feb. 2022 That would be Elizabeth, New Jersey — Exit 13 off the turnpike — where his father drove a cab. — Quanta Magazine, 3 Dec. 2021 Commuter Stephanie Servaites takes the turnpike from her Plantation home to the Golden Glades in Miami-Dade each weekday for work as an office manager. — Lisa J. Huriash, sun-sentinel.com, 17 Dec. 2021 Plans in the design phase also include widening a seven-mile segment of the turnpike between West Palm Beach north of Okeechobee Boulevard. — Lisa J. Huriash, sun-sentinel.com, 17 Dec. 2021 See More

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.

First Known Use of turnpike

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for turnpike

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

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Time Traveler for turnpike

Time Traveler

The first known use of turnpike was in 1678

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Dictionary Entries Near turnpike

turn over to

turnpike

turnpike geranium

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Statistics for turnpike

Last Updated

7 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Turnpike.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turnpike. Accessed 25 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for turnpike

turnpike

noun
turn·​pike | \ ˈtərn-ˌpīk How to pronounce turnpike (audio) \

Kids Definition of turnpike

: a road that people must pay a toll to use

More from Merriam-Webster on turnpike

Nglish: Translation of turnpike for Spanish Speakers

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