ENGLISH
REFERENCE

interstate

n. countable
B1 Intermediate US //ˌɪntɝˈsteɪt// UK //ˌɪntəstˈeɪt// in·ter·state

n. a large, wide road that connects different states and allows cars to travel very fast. You use these roads for long trips between cities.

n. a high-speed divided highway that forms part of the national system of routes connecting different states. Primarily used in American English to describe a controlled-access road network.


SIMPLE

We drove on the interstate for six hours to reach the coast.

CONTEXTUAL

Heavy snow forced the police to close a long section of the interstate near the mountain pass.

COMPLEX

The construction of the interstate system revolutionized domestic logistics, allowing freight to move across the continent with unprecedented speed and efficiency compared to older regional routes.

Antonyms
Origin

From inter- + state, originally as an adjective only; the noun is by (ellipsis) from interstate highway. The noun also serves adjectivally as a (noun adjunct) in such collocations as interstate construction and interstate rest stops.

Usage

Commonly used as a proper noun when followed by a number, such as 'Interstate 95'.

Pitfall

I am driving in the interstateI am driving on the interstateEnglish speakers use the preposition 'on' for specific roads and highways.

© 2026 English Reference