Word
interstate
Phoneticsin·ter·state
US/ˌɪntɝˈsteɪt/
UK/ˌɪntəstˈeɪt/
Definitions
01a major highway
n. a large, fast highway that connects different states.
n. a high-speed, multi-lane divided highway that forms part of the national Interstate Highway System in the United States.
“We took the interstate for three hours to get to the city.”
“Traffic on the interstate slowed to a crawl after a heavy snowstorm blocked three lanes near the state border.”
American English
Usage
Often used with the definite article 'the' or followed by a number, such as 'Interstate 95'.
Teaching tip
In the US, 'interstate' is the standard term for these roads, whereas 'motorway' is used in the UK.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02between states
adj. involving or connecting two or more states within a country.
adj. relating to, connecting, or existing between two or more states, particularly in a federal union.
“The company handles interstate trade between New York and New Jersey.”
“The Supreme Court often hears cases regarding interstate commerce when state laws conflict with federal regulations.”
American English · Academic
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it modifies.
Teaching tip
Contrast this with 'intrastate', which refers to things happening within a single state.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03moving to another state
adv. to or in another state.
adv. to or in another state within the same country; used to describe travel or relocation.
“My sister is moving interstate to start a new job in Brisbane.”
“Many families chose to relocate interstate during the pandemic in search of more affordable housing and a better lifestyle.”
American English · Dialect
Usage
Commonly follows verbs of motion like 'move', 'travel', or 'go'.
Teaching tip
This adverbial use is particularly common in Australian English when discussing domestic travel.
Synonyms
Etymology
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/interstate