highway
n. countablen. a main public road that connects cities or towns. It is usually built for fast travel over long distances.
n. a primary public thoroughfare or main road, typically connecting major urban centres and designed for high-speed vehicular traffic.
We drove along the highway for three hours to reach the coast.
The new highway significantly reduced the travel time between the capital and the industrial port.
Urban planners are debating whether to expand the existing highway or invest in high-speed rail to alleviate the chronic congestion affecting the metropolitan area.
From Middle English heiȝwai, heiȝwei, from Old English hēahweġ (“main road, highway”), corresponding to high + way. Compare highgate, high street, high road. Cognate with Scots heaway, heway, hieway, hichway, heichway (“highway”).
Commonly used in American and Canadian English; British English typically prefers 'main road' or 'motorway' for similar concepts.