# motorway

/mˈəʊtəwˌeɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/motorway
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. a high-speed road

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

a large, wide road for fast cars and trucks that connects major cities.

For teachers: a dual-carriageway road designed for high-speed traffic, featuring controlled access and grade-separated intersections.

- We took the motorway to get to London faster than using the smaller country roads.
- Heavy congestion on the M25 motorway caused significant delays for commuters heading into the city during the morning rush hour.

Usage: Often abbreviated as 'M' followed by a number in the UK, such as the M1 or M6.

Teaching tip: This is the standard term in British English; American English speakers almost exclusively use 'highway', 'freeway', or 'expressway'.

### 2. a racetrack

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Technical

a special track or stadium used for car or motorcycle racing.

For teachers: a venue or circuit specifically designed for motor racing competitions.

- Thousands of fans gathered at the motorway to watch the grand prix.
- The local motorway underwent extensive renovations to meet the safety standards required for international motorcycle racing events.

Usage: In this sense, it is more common in American English as part of a proper name for a venue.

## Examples

- The motorway is very busy during the morning rush hour.
- We took the motorway to reach the coast faster, avoiding the smaller country roads.
- The expansion of the national motorway network significantly reduced transit times for freight, though it also led to increased noise pollution for communities situated near the new interchanges.

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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.