# beltway

/ˈbɛɫtˌweɪ/ (US) · /bˈɛltweɪ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/beltway
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a major highway or a group of highways that form a loop around a large city. It is also used to describe the people who work in a specific area, like politics.

For teachers: a major highway or a system of highways forming a loop around a large urban area. In a figurative sense, it refers to the group of people who work in a specific industry or political environment.

## Examples

- The traffic on the beltway is always heavy during rush hour.
- Commuters often take the beltway to avoid the congestion of the city center during the morning commute.
- The candidate's campaign struggled to gain traction outside the beltway, as her message resonated more with urban voters than with the suburban electorate.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.