clearway: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal; Technical (Transport/Highway Engineering); Official (Road signs/law).
Quick answer
What does “clearway” mean?
A section of road, especially a major road, where stopping or parking is not allowed at any time.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A section of road, especially a major road, where stopping or parking is not allowed at any time.
The term can also be used in aviation to refer to a defined area kept clear of obstructions for aircraft takeoff and landing. In a general sense, it can metaphorically describe any designated unobstructed path or area.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
'Clearway' is a standard term in UK highway regulations. The direct US equivalent is often 'no-stopping zone' or 'no-parking zone', but these are more generic. The specific UK legal concept of a 'clearway' (red cross on a blue background sign) does not have a single-word, direct legal counterpart in general US usage.
Connotations
In the UK, it carries a strong connotation of traffic law and highway efficiency. In the US, the concept is understood but the specific lexical item is rare, leading to lower immediate recognition.
Frequency
High frequency in UK official/road contexts; very low frequency in everyday US English. An American is more likely to describe the rule ('you can't stop here') than name the road type.
Grammar
How to Use “clearway” in a Sentence
The [ROAD NAME] is a clearway.No stopping on the clearway.A clearway was introduced to ease congestion.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “clearway” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The council plans to clearway the entire ring road during rush hour.
adjective
British English
- They installed new clearway signage along the A-road.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in logistics/transport planning discussions about route efficiency.
Academic
Used in papers on traffic engineering, urban planning, and transport policy.
Everyday
Used by UK drivers referring to road rules and signs. Not common in casual US conversation.
Technical
Core term in UK highway design manuals, traffic law, and signage standards.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “clearway”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “clearway”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “clearway”
- Using 'clearway' in the US without explanation. Confusing it with 'clearance' or 'driveway'. Using it as a synonym for any wide or empty road.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A motorway is a specific type of high-speed road with multiple lanes and restricted access. A clearway is a traffic regulation that can be applied to various roads, including some non-motorway roads, to ban stopping.
In the UK, stopping is generally prohibited at all times, except in an extreme emergency (e.g., a vehicle breakdown) or if directed by police. Even then, you must move the vehicle as soon as it is safe.
In the UK, an urban clearway is a specific type where stopping is prohibited only during peak hours (typically displayed on the sign). Outside those hours, stopping may be permitted unless otherwise indicated.
They have roads with identical 'no stopping' rules, but the specific term 'clearway' is not part of standard US traffic vocabulary. Americans would refer to 'no-stopping zones' or similar descriptions.
A section of road, especially a major road, where stopping or parking is not allowed at any time.
Clearway is usually formal; technical (transport/highway engineering); official (road signs/law). in register.
Clearway: in British English it is pronounced /ˈklɪəweɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈklɪrweɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's a clearway to success. (metaphorical, rare)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a way that must be kept CLEAR for traffic. CLEAR + WAY = CLEARWAY.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PATH IS A CHANNEL FOR FLOW (obstructions hinder the flow).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a clearway?