noun
carriageway
KA-rij-way
Carriageway (noun) means a carriageway is the part of a road used by vehicles, as opposed to pavements or verges. Example: “Roadworks have narrowed the carriageway to a single lane.”
noun
1
UK, Ireland, Hong Kong A carriageway is the part of a road used by vehicles, as opposed to pavements or verges.
"Roadworks have narrowed the carriageway to a single lane."
"Pedestrians are asked to stay off the carriageway."
"The council resurfaced the carriageway last month."
2
UK, Ireland, Hong Kong A carriageway is one side of a dual carriageway, carrying traffic in a single direction.
"The northbound carriageway was closed after the accident."
"Traffic on the southbound carriageway was moving slowly."
How to use carriageway
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA carriageway is simply the stretch of road that cars and other vehicles drive on.
When to use it
The term is standard in British, Irish and Hong Kong English, where American English favours roadway.
Memory tip
On a dual carriageway, each direction of traffic has its own separate carriageway.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
a dual carriageway
the northbound carriageway
narrow the carriageway
close a carriageway
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Roadworks have narrowed the _____ to a single lane.
Etymology
The word is formed by combining carriage with way.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for carriageway
See all rhymes for carriageway →Frequently asked questions
What does carriageway mean?
A carriageway is the part of a road that vehicles travel on, as distinct from footpaths or verges.
What is a dual carriageway?
A dual carriageway has two separate carriageways, each carrying traffic in one direction, usually divided by a central reservation.
Is carriageway used outside the UK?
It is chiefly used in the UK, Ireland and Hong Kong; American English generally says roadway instead.
What is the meaning of carriageway?
"carriageway" (noun) means a carriageway is the part of a road used by vehicles, as opposed to pavements or verges.
