traffic

[ traf-ik ]

noun

1. the movement of vehicles, ships, persons, etc., in an area, along a street, through an air lane, over a water route, etc.:

   the heavy traffic on Main Street.

2. the vehicles, persons, etc., moving in an area, along a street, etc.
3. the transportation of goods for the purpose of trade, by sea, land, or air:

   ships of traffic.

4. trade; buying and selling; commercial dealings.
5. trade between different countries or places; commerce.
6. the business done by a railroad or other carrier in the transportation of freight or passengers.
7. the aggregate of freight, passengers, telephone or telegraph messages, etc., handled, especially in a given period.
8. communication, dealings, or contact between persons or groups:

   traffic between the Democrats and the Republicans.

9. mutual exchange or communication:

   traffic in ideas.

10. trade in some specific commodity or service, often of an illegal nature:

    the vast traffic in narcotics.

11. illegal commercial trade in human beings for the purpose of exploiting them:

    the traffic in young children.

verb (used without object)

, traf·ficked, traf·fick·ing.

1. to carry on traffic, trade, or commercial dealings.
2. to trade or deal in a specific commodity or service, often of an illegal nature (usually followed by in ):

   to traffic in opium.

verb (used with object)

, traf·ficked, traf·fick·ing.

1. (of vehicles or persons) to move over or through (a place):

   It's a heavily trafficked bridge.

2. to trade or deal in (a commodity or service):

   to traffic guns.

3. to trade in (human beings) for the purpose of exploitation:

   He was convicted for trafficking illegal immigrants.

traffic

/ ˈtræfɪk /

noun

1. 1. the vehicles coming and going in a street, town, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      traffic lights

2. the movement of vehicles, people, etc, in a particular place or for a particular purpose

   sea traffic

3. 1. the business of commercial transportation by land, sea, or air
   2. the freight, passengers, etc, transported
4. usually foll by with dealings or business

   have no traffic with that man

5. trade, esp of an illicit or improper kind

   drug traffic

6. the aggregate volume of messages transmitted through a communications system in a given period
7. the number of customers patronizing a commercial establishment in a given time period

verb

1. often foll by in to carry on trade or business, esp of an illicit kind
2. usually foll by with to have dealings

Derived Forms

• ˈtrafficker, noun
• ˈtrafficless, adjective

Other Words From

• traffick·er noun
• traffic·less adjective
• inter·traffic noun verb intertrafficked intertrafficking
• un·trafficked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of traffic¹

First recorded in 1495–1505; earlier traffyk, from Middle French trafique (noun), trafiquer; (verb) from Italian traffico (noun), trafficare (verb), of disputed origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of traffic¹

C16: from Old French trafique , from Old Italian traffico , from trafficare to engage in trade

Synonym Study

See trade.

Example Sentences

The station was evacuated and remains closed, while nearby Killermont Street was shut to traffic and people were urged to avoid the area.

From BBC

"Designing trees into streets early, and then figuring out win-win solutions to get in utilities and traffic access, is one of the big changes we need to make a difference."

From Science Daily

There were 192 people aged between 16 and 24 killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions in Northern Ireland in 2023.

From BBC

However, reviews for “Juror #2” have been strong and Eastwood’s name recognition likely could have generated box office traffic, Loria said.

From Los Angeles Times

Following its “initial success,” the task force doubled in size after receiving a $30-million federal investment to halt drug trafficking by transnational criminal organizations and address humanitarian and security efforts, state officials say.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• freight
• gridlock
• influx
• movement
• service
• shipment
• transit
• transport
• transportation
• travel