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

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

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