noun
Beltway
BEHLT-way
Beltway (noun) means a highway that loops around a city. Example: “Rush-hour traffic on the beltway added an hour to the drive.”
noun
1
A highway that loops around a city.
"Rush-hour traffic on the beltway added an hour to the drive."
2
In US politics, shorthand for the Washington, D.C. political establishment, often implying insularity.
"The proposal was dismissed by beltway insiders as unworkable."
How to use Beltway
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLiterally a ring road around a city; figuratively, the closed world of Washington politics.
Common pairings
inside the beltway
beltway politics
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Word forms
- Plural
- beltways
- Comparative
- more Beltway
- Superlative
- most Beltway
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Rush-hour traffic on the _____ added an hour to the drive.
Etymology
From "belt" (something that encircles) plus "way," originally describing the ring road around Washington, D.C.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Beltway
See all rhymes for Beltway →Frequently asked questions
What does “Beltway” mean?
The word “Beltway” means a highway that loops around a city. In plain terms, literally a ring road around a city; figuratively, the closed world of Washington politics.
How do you pronounce “Beltway”?
“Beltway” is pronounced BEHLT-way (/ˈbɛltˌweɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Beltway” in a sentence?
Here is “Beltway” used in a sentence: “Rush-hour traffic on the beltway added an hour to the drive.”
What part of speech is “Beltway”?
“Beltway” is a noun.
How many meanings does “Beltway” have?
“Beltway” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a highway that loops around a city.
