interstate

1 of 2

adjective

in·​ter·​state ˌin-tər-ˈstāt 

: of, connecting, or existing between two or more states especially of the U.S.

interstate commerce

interstate

2 of 2

noun

in·​ter·​state ˈin-tər-ˌstāt 

: any of a system of expressways connecting most major U.S. cities

called also interstate highway

Examples of interstate in a Sentence

Noun

You'll get there quicker if you take the interstate.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Harun Abdul-Malik Yener, 30, from Coral Springs, Fla. was detained and charged with attempting to use an explosive device to damage or destroy a building used in interstate commerce on Wednesday, Nov. 20, according to a release by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida. —Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024

Full Story Judge rules Youngkin administration can’t pull Virginia out of greenhouse gas agreement A Virginia court ruled Wednesday that Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s (R) administration cannot withdraw from an interstate carbon emission-capping compact without approval from the state Legislature. —Saul Elbein, The Hill, 20 Nov. 2024

Noun

Police have shared bodycam footage showing the dramatic rescue of a man from a fiery pickup truck crash on an Ohio interstate. —David Chiu, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024

Authorities announced an arrest Monday in the brutal murder of an exotic dancer whose body was discovered in a burning car on an Arizona interstate more than a year ago. —Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1844, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1968, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

interstate

1 of 2 adjective

in·​ter·​state ˌint-ər-ˈstāt 

: of, connecting, or existing between states especially of the U.S.

interstate highways

interstate

2 of 2 noun

in·​ter·​state ˈint-ər-ˌstāt 

: an interstate highway