road

[ rohd ]

noun

1. a long, narrow stretch with a smoothed or paved surface, made for traveling by motor vehicle, carriage, etc., between two or more points; street or highway.
2. a way or course:

   the road to peace.

3. a railroad.
4. Often roads. Also called roadstead. Nautical. a partly sheltered area of water near a shore in which vessels may ride at anchor.
5. Mining. any tunnel in a mine used for hauling.
6. the road, the places, usually outside of New York City, at which theatrical companies on tour generally give performances.

road

/ rəʊd /

noun

1. 1. an open way, usually surfaced with asphalt or concrete, providing passage from one place to another
   2. ( as modifier )

      a road sign

      a road map

      road traffic

   3. ( in combination )

      the roadside

2. 1. a street
   2. ( capital when part of a name )

      London Road

3. 1. short for railroad
   2. one of the tracks of a railway
4. a way, path, or course

   the road to fame

5. Also calledroadstead often plural nautical a partly sheltered anchorage
6. a drift or tunnel in a mine, esp a level one
7. hit the road slang.
   to start or resume travelling
8. on the road
   1. travelling, esp as a salesman
   2. (of a theatre company, pop group, etc) on tour
   3. leading a wandering life
9. take the road or take to the road
   to begin a journey or tour
10. one for the road informal.
    a last alcoholic drink before leaving

Derived Forms

• ˈroadless, adjective

Other Words From

• road·less adjective
• road·less·ness noun
• in·ter·road adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of road¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English rode, earlier rade, Old English rād “a riding, journey on horseback,” akin to rīdan “to ride ”

Word History and Origins

Origin of road¹

Old English rād ; related to rīdan to ride , and to Old Saxon rēda , Old Norse reith

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. burn up the road, Slang. to drive or move very fast.
2. down the road, in the future:

   Economists see higher interest rates down the road.

3. hit the road, Slang. to begin or resume traveling:

   We hit the road before sunrise.

4. on the road,
   1. traveling, especially as a sales representative.
   2. on tour, as a theatrical company:

      The musical ends its New York run next week to go on the road.

   3. started; under way:

      We need funds to get the project on the road.

5. one for the road, a final alcoholic drink taken just before departing from a party, tavern, or the like.
6. take to the road, to begin a journey or tour. Also take the road.
7. take the high road. take the high road ( def ).

More idioms and phrases containing road

• all roads lead to Rome
• down the line (road)
• end of the line (road)
• get the show on the road
• hit the road
• one for the road
• on the road

Example Sentences

The family hung on in their house as long as they could, but with explosions all around, shops closed and roads cut off one by one, they finally bowed to the inevitable.

From BBC

No. There was no road here before, the road had to be built.

From Salon

This would enable remediated tire materials to be used in practical applications, say, on soccer fields, playgrounds or in asphalt for roads, without worry.

From Science Daily

Details of exactly what happened are still emerging, but Javed ullah Mehsud, a senior administration official, told AFP "approximately 10 attackers" were involved, "firing indiscriminately from both sides of the road".

From BBC

Five years ago, Weiss and Brier hatched the idea for “Sweethearts” after embarking on a cross-country road trip.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• artery
• avenue
• boulevard
• course
• drive
• expressway
• highway
• lane
• line
• parking lot
• pathway
• pavement
• roadway
• route
• street
• subway
• thoroughfare
• track
• trail
• way