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

Ridership projections have dropped as interstate travel for business has decreased in the age of remote work. —Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024

The image circulated widely online – as an interstate effort to identify him was underway and also as critics of the health insurance industry praised the crime. —Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 16 Dec. 2024

Noun

The car was discovered after someone saw it in the interstate's westbound lane with flames in the back seat and dialed 911, according to the report. —Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 5 Dec. 2024

Several interstates and highways in Maryland and West Virginia will likely get walloped by an incoming blizzard. —Jason Fields, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 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