turnpike

[ turn-pahyk ]

noun

1. a high-speed highway, especially one maintained by tolls.
2. (formerly) a barrier set across such a highway to stop passage until a toll has been paid; tollgate.

turnpike

/ ˈtɜːnˌpaɪk /

noun

1. between the mid-16th and late 19th centuries
   1. gates or some other barrier set across a road to prevent passage until a toll had been paid
   2. a road on which a turnpike was operated
2. See turnstile
   an obsolete word for turnstile
3. a motorway for use of which a toll is charged

Word History and Origins

Origin of turnpike¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English turnepike “road barrier” ( turnpike indef 1, short for turnpike road ). See turn, pike ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of turnpike¹

C15: from turn + pike ²

Example Sentences

We are driving down the New Jersey Turnpike on a raw Sunday morning in March.

From The Daily Beast

He was heading toward home on the Pennsylvania Turnpike when he found himself pulling over.

From The Daily Beast

Jersey Turnpike (v.)—to perform a dance move in which one jams his/her rear end against a man's crotch and then bends over.

From The Daily Beast

In the "good old coaching days" the turnpike tolls paid on a coach running daily from here to London amounted to £1,428 per year.

From Project Gutenberg

The place was a field, the first beyond the turnpike gate, and within a mile of the city.

From Project Gutenberg

A country girl, riding by a turnpike-road without paying toll, the gate-keeper hailed her and demanded his fee.

From Project Gutenberg

Sixty, nay fifty, years ago, there were six toll-houses and turnpike bars between London and Portsmouth.

From Project Gutenberg

Chicot stopped at a turnpike, and asked the man if he had seen three travelers pass on mules.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• expressway
• freeway
• interstate
• roadway
• state highway
• superhighway