interstate

1 of 2

adjective

in·​ter·​state ˌin-tər-ˈstāt How to pronounce interstate (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce interstate (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Many surface streets and some interstate exits will be closed, mostly after 11 p.m. Alysa Guffey, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Nov. 2024 As time passed, larger interstate highways sprung up around Route 66, and eventually it was stripped of its highway status in 1985. Dan Sheehan, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
There was also traffic backed up for miles on the interstate. Stephanie Claytor, Parents, 2 Nov. 2024 According to Fox 19, the interstate was already closed in Newport ahead of the bridge but police extended the closure up to Interstate 275 before 7:30 a.m. Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for interstate 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1844, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of interstate was in 1844

Dictionary Entries Near interstate

Cite this Entry

“Interstate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interstate. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

interstate

1 of 2 adjective
in·​ter·​state ˌint-ər-ˈstāt How to pronounce interstate (audio)
: of, connecting, or existing between states especially of the U.S.
interstate highways

interstate

2 of 2 noun
in·​ter·​state ˈint-ər-ˌstāt How to pronounce interstate (audio)
: an interstate highway

More from Merriam-Webster on interstate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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