motorway
MOH-tuh-way
Motorway (noun) means a major road designed for fast-moving traffic, with no crossroads and limited access points (chiefly British). Example: “Take the motorway and you'll be there in under an hour.”
noun
1
A major road designed for fast-moving traffic, with no crossroads and limited access points (chiefly British).
"Take the motorway and you'll be there in under an hour."
"There's been an accident on the motorway northbound."
How to use motorway
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA high-speed main road built specifically for cars, with no traffic lights or junctions at ground level.
UK vs US
British English says "motorway"; American English calls the equivalent a "freeway," "highway," or "interstate."
Common pairings
motorway services
motorway junction
drive on the motorway
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Word forms
- Plural
- motorways
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Take the _____ and you'll be there in under an hour.
Etymology
From motor + way.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for motorway
See all rhymes for motorway →Frequently asked questions
What does “motorway” mean?
The word “motorway” means a major road designed for fast-moving traffic, with no crossroads and limited access points (chiefly British). In plain terms, a high-speed main road built specifically for cars, with no traffic lights or junctions at ground level.
How do you pronounce “motorway”?
“Motorway” is pronounced MOH-tuh-way (/ˈməʊtəweɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “motorway” in a sentence?
Here is “motorway” used in a sentence: “Take the motorway and you'll be there in under an hour.”
What part of speech is “motorway”?
“Motorway” is a noun.
Is “motorway” a common word?
“Motorway” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
