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

When construction started a year later, plans for a new interstate freeway threatened the land through eminent domain. —Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2025

Specifically, the bill would allow the Indiana Department of Transportation to submit a request to the Federal Highway Administration for a waiver to toll lanes on interstate highways. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025

Noun

The Honda driver swerved to avoid the stopping device and continued on the interstate, according to the warrant affidavits. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2025

Those traveling by the site on the interstate are able to get a peek at production as vehicles travel by conveyor belt from the paint shop to the general assembly area of the plant. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1844, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1968, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for interstate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

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