Motorway
'məʊtəweɪ
Definitions
A wide road, especially in the UK and other countries, designed for fast travel, with multiple lanes and limited access.
'məʊtəweɪ
A high-speed, controlled-access highway.
We drove on the motorway for hours.
💡 Simply: A motorway is like a super-fast road made for cars to travel quickly between cities. Think of it like a highway with special rules, like no stopping except at exits and service stations. It helps you get places fast!
👶 For kids: A motorway is a big road where cars can go really fast!
More Examples
The accident caused a major traffic jam on the motorway.
Motorways are typically built to connect major cities.
How It's Used
"Motorways are designed to accommodate high volumes of traffic at high speeds."
From 'motor' (referring to motorized vehicles) + 'way' (road). Developed in the UK, and other parts of the world, in the mid-20th century for high-speed, long-distance travel, often contrasted with 'freeway' in American English. Originally, it was used to specifically describe a type of limited-access highway designed for faster and safer travel.
The term 'motorway' gained prominence in the UK in the 1950s as the country began building its first dedicated high-speed roads.
Memory tip
Imagine a 'motor' car on a fast 'way' – the motorway!