highway
B1Neutral/Formal
Definition
Meaning
A main public road, especially one connecting major towns or cities.
A designated route for high-speed vehicular traffic, often with multiple lanes and limited access; figuratively, a primary or direct route or method for achieving something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a major, maintained public road designed for through traffic. Can be concrete (a physical road) or metaphorical (a path to a goal). In the UK, the legal term is often 'trunk road'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'highway' is a formal/legal term encompassing all public roads (including minor roads). The common term for a major road is 'motorway' or 'A-road'. In the US, 'highway' is the standard, everyday term for a major public road (e.g., Interstate Highway). 'Freeway' and 'expressway' are specific types of US highways.
Connotations
UK: Formal, legalistic, or historical; can sound slightly old-fashioned in everyday speech. US: Neutral, practical, and modern; the default term for inter-city roads.
Frequency
Very frequent in US English; less frequent in everyday UK English, where 'motorway', 'road', or 'A-road' are preferred.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
on + the + highwaythe + highway + between + [Place] + and + [Place]the + highway + to + [Place/Destination]highway + [Number]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “highway robbery (figurative: exorbitant price)”
- “on the highway to hell (idiomatic: heading for disaster)”
- “information highway (dated term for the internet)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Logistics report: 'The new highway will reduce freight transit times by 15%.'
Academic
In urban planning: 'The construction of the highway system radically altered post-war American demographics.'
Everyday
US: 'Take Highway 101 north to get to the city.' UK: 'The accident caused delays on the M1 motorway.' (Note: 'motorway' used in UK everyday speech)
Technical
Transport engineering: 'The highway's asphalt concrete pavement requires resurfacing every decade.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- Highway maintenance is a council responsibility.
- He was charged with a highway offence.
American English
- Highway construction delayed our trip.
- We pulled over at a highway rest area.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The car is on the highway.
- This highway goes to London.
- We drove along the Pacific Coast Highway.
- The highway was very busy on Friday evening.
- Be careful when you cross the highway.
- A new highway is being built to bypass the town centre and reduce congestion.
- The government has announced increased funding for highway safety improvements.
- He works for the Highway Patrol.
- The proposed highway extension has sparked controversy among environmental groups.
- The metaphor of the 'information highway' now seems quaint compared to today's digital ecosystem.
- Interstate 95 is a vital highway for freight transport along the US East Coast.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HIGH road-WAY: a high-capacity way for vehicles to travel at high speeds over long distances.
Conceptual Metaphor
A channel or conduit for movement/traffic (e.g., 'a highway for information'). Often symbolizes progress, freedom, or a direct path ('on the highway to success').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'высокая дорога' (literal). Use 'шоссе', 'автострада', or 'магистраль'. Note: 'трасса' is also common but can mean a route/race track.
- Russian 'автобан' is closer to 'motorway'/'autobahn', not the general US 'highway'.
- The UK 'highway code' translates as 'правила дорожного движения', not a code for a specific type of road.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'highway' for a small street or residential road (incorrect in all variants).
- In UK English, overusing 'highway' in casual conversation instead of 'motorway' or 'main road'.
- Confusing 'highway' with 'freeway' (all freeways are highways, but not all highways are freeways, as some have traffic lights).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'highway' the MOST common everyday term for a major road?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In British English, a 'motorway' is a specific type of high-speed road with limited access (like the M1). 'Highway' is a broader legal term. In American English, 'highway' is the general term, and 'freeway' is closer to the UK 'motorway'.
No. A 'highway' implies a main, significant road for through traffic. A small village road would be a 'lane', 'street', or 'country road'.
In the UK, it is the official set of rules and guidelines for all road users (drivers, cyclists, pedestrians), not just for highways. The name is a historical legacy of the term 'highway' meaning any public road.
Yes, commonly. For example: 'Education is a highway to a better future' or 'The new software provides a highway for data transfer.'
Collections
Part of a collection
Transport
A2 · 48 words · Ways of getting from place to place.