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 map

      a road sign

      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.
   hit the road to start or resume travelling
8. on the road
   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
   take the roadtake to the road to begin a journey or tour
10. one for the road informal.
    one for the road 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

We heard it everywhere across the country that many people took to the open roads thinking that they could speed, and speed significantly.

From Washington Post

However, temperatures should fall below freezing not long after dark, creating some slick spots on untreated roads and walkways.

From Washington Post

Temperatures are 31 to 33 degrees north of the Beltway, where you may encounter slick spots, especially on untreated roads.

From Washington Post

Driving along the C&O Canal Scenic Byway makes for a great road trip.

From Outside Online

At that point, temperatures may fall closer to freezing and snow accumulation may pick up, even on roads.

From Washington Post

So I drove around the corner to the trailhead of the logging road that led back to the crash site.

From The Daily Beast

As he drove me back to the logging road, Frank told me about the area in his deep voice.

From The Daily Beast

Shrubs and small trees dot a parched landscape along the road from Turbat to the border.

From The Daily Beast

For many Republicans presidential hopefuls, the road to the nomination passes through the Hawkeye State.

From The Daily Beast

All the roads into Iraqi Kurdistan and toward Baghdad are closed and now the road toward Syria is also blocked.

From The Daily Beast

What need to look to right or left when you are swallowing up free mile after mile of dizzying road?

From Project Gutenberg

His wife stood smiling and waving, the boys shouting, as he disappeared in the old rockaway down the sandy road.

From Project Gutenberg

She set off down Trafalgar Road in the mist and the rain, glad that she had been compelled to walk.

From Project Gutenberg

The first rail road opened in Brazil, the emperor and empress being present at the inauguration.

From Project Gutenberg

The intricacies and abrupt turns in the road separated him from his immediate followers.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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