road

[rohd] /roʊd/
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.
Idioms
7.
burn up the road, Slang. to drive or move very fast.
8.
down the road, in the future:
Economists see higher interest rates down the road.
9.
hit the road, Slang. to begin or resume traveling:
We hit the road before sunrise.
10.
one for the road, a final alcoholic drink taken just before departing from a party, tavern, or the like.
11.
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.
12.
take to the road, to begin a journey or tour.
Also, take the road.
Origin
before 900; Middle English rode, earlier rade, Old English rād a riding, journey on horseback, akin to rīdan to ride
Related forms
roadless, adjective
roadlessness, noun
interroad, adjective
Examples from the web for road
  • In the path at the side of the road they were compelled to walk one behind the other.
  • Many colleges look to online education as the path to growth, but it is often a bumpy road.
  • As the road dips and curves, a car has to follow that path, dipping and curving as well.
  • road conditions can change rapidly and the weather may cause temporary closures or other restrictions that could impact travel.
  • We stand in warm rain on a dirt road and contemplate a cattle pasture.
  • Taking your job on the road is easier than ever, especially with the right mobile office tools.
  • If you've ever driven along a gravel or dirt road in the summer, you're undoubtedly familiar with the washboards that develop.
  • Rising costs test families' faith, while one in three presidents see academe on the wrong road.
  • The dirt road is suitable for cars-but take it slow.
  • Dark red indicates the densest road networks, dark blue the sparsest.
British Dictionary definitions for road

road

/rəʊd/
noun
1.
  1. an open way, usually surfaced with asphalt or concrete, providing passage from one place to another
  2. (as modifier): road traffic, a road map, a road sign
  3. (in combination): the roadside
2.
  1. a street
  2. (capital when part of a name): London Road
3.
  1. (US) short for railroad
  2. (Brit) one of the tracks of a railway
4.
a way, path, or course: the road to fame
5.
(often pl) (nautical) Also called roadstead. a partly sheltered anchorage
6.
a drift or tunnel in a mine, esp a level one
7.
(slang) hit the road, 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, take to the road, to begin a journey or tour
10.
(informal) one for the road, a last alcoholic drink before leaving
Derived Forms
roadless, adjective
Word Origin
Old English rād; related to rīdan to ride, and to Old Saxon rēda, Old Norse reith
Word Origin and History for road
n.

Old English rad "riding expedition, journey, hostile incursion," from Proto-Germanic *raido (cf. Old Frisian red "ride," Old Saxon reda, Middle Dutch rede, Old High German reita "foray, raid"), from PIE *reidh- "to ride" (see ride (v.)). Also related to raid (n.). In Middle English, "a riding, a journey;" sense of "open way for traveling between two places" is first recorded 1590s. Meaning "narrow stretch of sheltered water" is from early 14c. (e.g. Hampton Roads in Virginia).

Modern spelling established 18c. In 19c. U.S. use, often meaning "railroad." On the road "travelling" is from 1640s. Road test (n.) is from 1906; as a verb from 1937. Road hog is attested from 1886; road rage is from 1988. Road map is from 1786; road trip is by 1950, originally of baseball teams.

Slang definitions & phrases for road

road

modifier

Traveling; touring, itinerant: a road show (1900+ Theater)

Related Terms

go the hang-put road, hard-road freak, hit the road, let's get the show on the road, one for the road, on the road, skid road, where the rubber meets the road, wide place in the road


road in the Bible

(1 Sam. 27:10; R.V., "raid"), an inroad, an incursion. This word is never used in Scripture in the sense of a way or path.

Idioms and Phrases with road

road

also see: