National Highway System

[ nash-uh-nl hahy-wey sis-tuhm, nash-nuhl ]

noun

1. a network of highways within the United States, designated by Congress in 1995, including the Interstate Highway System and other roads that serve airports, seaports, railroad terminals, military bases, etc.: the largest highway system in the world. : NHS

Word History and Origins

Origin of National Highway System¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Of course it’s not a business, but a public service aiming to tie the entire nation together; no one should expect the Postal Service to fulfill its responsibilities at a profit any more than we expect the national highway system or K-12 schools to do so.

From Los Angeles Times

It was the 1950s, and nothing was going to get in the way of building a national highway system.

From Seattle Times

“Oklahoma DOT has no control over the number of vehicles that use interstate or other national highway system routes, nor what fuel sources they use,” the agency wrote.

From Washington Post

Most of the money will be directed to the states to create a network of EV charging stations along designated “Alternative Fuel Corridors,” defined as approximately 165,722 miles of the National Highway System, covering 49 states and the District of Columbia.

From The Verge

In addition to interstates, the National Highway System — which is what’s covered under the proposed rule — includes roads that are important to the nation’s economy, defense and mobility, according to federal highway officials.

From Washington Post