interstate

1 of 2

adjective

in·​ter·​state ˌin-tər-ˈstāt How to pronounce interstate (audio)
Synonyms of interstate
: 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 How to pronounce interstate (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Jeffrey Peterson was found guilty on 10 counts of threatening to murder the officials and 10 counts of interstate transmission of threats to injure. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 By the time the coffee shop building was going up at the end of the route in 1959, Fresco said, interstate freeways were already beginning to usurp Route 66’s role and the Santa Monica route of Interstate 10 had been plotted. — Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Noun
The renderings show green lawns, walking paths, and gathering places above portions of the interstate. — Jamal Goss, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 The driver got off the interstate at Atlantic Avenue and continued west before stopping on Jog Road between Grand Isle Drive and Woolbright Road, PBSO said. — Grace Bellinghausen, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for interstate

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1844, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of interstate was in 1844

Rhymes for interstate

See All Rhymes for interstate

Browse Nearby Words

interstage
interstate
interstate extradition
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Interstate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interstate. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

interstate

1 of 2 adjective
in·​ter·​state ˌint-ər-ˈstāt How to pronounce interstate (audio)
: of, connecting, or existing between states especially of the U.S.
interstate highways

interstate

2 of 2 noun
in·​ter·​state ˈint-ər-ˌstāt How to pronounce interstate (audio)
: an interstate highway

More from Merriam-Webster on interstate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for interstate

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