noun
Uncommon
freeway
FRIHY-wehy
Freeway (noun) means a major road designed for fast traffic, with no intersections or traffic lights. Example: “Traffic on the freeway was backed up for miles during rush hour.”
noun
1
A major road designed for fast traffic, with no intersections or traffic lights.
"Traffic on the freeway was backed up for miles during rush hour."
"We joined the freeway at the next exit and drove for two hours."
"Nobody is allowed to walk along the freeway, because the cars go too fast."
How to use freeway
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large, high-speed road with no stop signs or traffic lights, usually American English.
UK vs US
Mainly American English; British English typically says "motorway."
Easily confused with
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like freeway.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- freeways
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Traffic on the _____ was backed up for miles during rush hour.
Etymology
From "free" plus "way," originally referring to a toll-free highway.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for freeway
See all rhymes for freeway →Frequently asked questions
What does “freeway” mean?
The word “freeway” means a major road designed for fast traffic, with no intersections or traffic lights. In plain terms, a large, high-speed road with no stop signs or traffic lights, usually American English.
How do you pronounce “freeway”?
“Freeway” is pronounced FRIHY-wehy (/ˈfɹiː.weɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “freeway” in a sentence?
Here is “freeway” used in a sentence: “Traffic on the freeway was backed up for miles during rush hour.”
What part of speech is “freeway”?
“Freeway” is a noun.
Is “freeway” a common word?
“Freeway” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a freeway and a highway?
Freeway refers specifically to a major road built for fast, uninterrupted traffic, with no intersections or traffic lights. Highway is a broader term for any major public road connecting towns or cities, which may or may not have the controlled access that defines a freeway.
What is the difference between a freeway and a motorway?
Freeway and motorway describe the same type of controlled-access, high-speed road; freeway is the term used mainly in American English, while motorway is standard in British English. Both refer to roads designed with no intersections or traffic lights.
Why is it called a freeway?
A freeway is designed to keep traffic moving freely, without stopping at intersections or traffic lights, which is where the name comes from. This uninterrupted design is the key feature that distinguishes it from ordinary roads.
