Road
roʊd
Definitions
3 meaningsA long, hard surface built for vehicles to travel on.
roʊd
A way or track made for traveling, especially for vehicles.
We drove down the road to visit my grandparents.
💡 Simply: A road is like a super smooth path, made of asphalt or concrete, that cars and other vehicles use to get around. Imagine it's like a long playground slide for your car!
👶 For kids: A road is a place where cars and trucks drive.
More Examples
The new road significantly reduced travel time.
The road was blocked by fallen trees after the storm.
How It's Used
"The road was closed due to a car accident."
"They are building a new road through the mountains."
A figurative path or course, especially one leading to a particular end.
roʊd
A route or course.
The company is on the road to financial stability.
💡 Simply: Sometimes 'road' isn't about driving! It can also mean the path to reach something, like success or feeling better. It is the journey you make to get somewhere in life.
👶 For kids: Sometimes 'road' means a path to get to something that's not a real road, like feeling better.
More Examples
His recovery is going well; he's on the road to getting better.
The project is finally on the road to completion.
How It's Used
"She is on the road to recovery."
"He's finally on the road to success."
Related to traveling, or used for the road.
roʊd
Relating to a long journey, or traveling.
The band are on a road trip.
💡 Simply: When we say something is 'road,' it means related to going somewhere by car or something that goes on the road, like a truck!
👶 For kids: Road means to be somewhere far away, traveling like cars on the road.
More Examples
The company is on the road to financial stability.
The project is finally on the road to completion.
How It's Used
"He is a road traveler"
Idioms & expressions
on the road
Traveling by car.
"We'll be on the road for five hours."
hit the road
To begin a journey or trip, often by vehicle.
"The cyclists hit the road early in the morning to avoid the midday sun."
road rage
Aggressive or angry behavior by drivers of motor vehicles.
"Road rage can lead to serious accidents."
From Middle English rode, rod, from Old English rād (“a riding, journey, road”), from Proto-Germanic *raidō (“a riding, journey, road”), from Proto-Indo-European *reidh- (“to ride, drive”). Cognate with Dutch rede (“roadstead”), German Reute (“clearing”), and possibly also with ride.
The word 'road' has been used since Old English times, originally meaning a journey or riding. Its meaning evolved to include the actual path or track.
Memory tip
Think of the path you take with your car to get from place to place.