View synonyms for road

road

[ rohd ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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.
a way or course:
the road to peace.
a railroad.
Often roads. Also called roadstead. Nautical. a partly sheltered area of water near a shore in which vessels may ride at anchor.
Mining. any tunnel in a mine used for hauling.
the road, the places, usually outside of New York City, at which theatrical companies on tour generally give performances.

road

/ rəʊd /

1. an open way, usually surfaced with asphalt or concrete, providing passage from one place to another
2. ( as modifier )
  a road sign
  a road map
  road traffic
3. ( in combination )
  the roadside
1. a street
2. ( capital when part of a name )
  London Road
1. short for railroad
2. one of the tracks of a railway
a way, path, or course
the road to fame
Also calledroadstead often plural nautical a partly sheltered anchorage
a drift or tunnel in a mine, esp a level one
hit the road slang.
to start or resume travelling
on the road
1. travelling, esp as a salesman
2. (of a theatre company, pop group, etc) on tour
3. leading a wandering life
take the road or take to the road
to begin a journey or tour
one for the road informal.
a last alcoholic drink before leaving

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 ”

Origin of road¹

Old English rād ; related to rīdan to ride , and to Old Saxon rēda , Old Norse reith

burn up the road, Slang. to drive or move very fast.
down the road, in the future:
Economists see higher interest rates down the road.
hit the road, Slang. to begin or resume traveling:
We hit the road before sunrise.
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.
one for the road, a final alcoholic drink taken just before departing from a party, tavern, or the like.
take to the road, to begin a journey or tour. Also take the road.
take the high road. take the high road ( def ).

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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