What is highway? Pronunciation and usage in English

highway means . Learn how to pronounce and use highway through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of highway

highwaynoun

/ˈhʌɪweɪ/
Definition & pronunciation of highway

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "highway" in English. It's a tricky one! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and widely accepted pronunciation is:

  • /haɪˈweɪ/ (This is the "General American" pronunciation, which is common in the US)

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  1. "haɪ" – This sounds like "high" – like you’re pointing upwards. The "i" is a long "i" sound (as in "bike").

  2. "ˈweɪ" – This is the tricky part.

    • "way" – you might be tempted to say it like "way" (as in "the way out").
    • But it's actually pronounced with a short "a" sound – like in "cat" or "hat." It's almost like saying "whey" – a creamy dairy product. The stress (the emphasis) is on this second syllable.

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) representation:

/haɪˈweɪ/

Tips for getting it right:

  • Stress: Make sure you emphasize the second syllable ("way"). This is key.
  • "Way" sound: Think of the sound in “cat” or “hat” rather than the typical “way” as in direction.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it! Here are some resources:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation?
  • Give you some other example words with similar sounds?

Usage and examples with the word highway in English

Let's break down how to use the word "highway" in English. It has a few different meanings and usages. Here's a detailed explanation:

1. Literal Meaning: A Major Road

  • Definition: A highway is a major road, typically a divided road with multiple lanes, designed for fast and efficient travel over long distances. It’s a primary route connecting cities and towns.
  • Examples:
    • "We drove along the interstate highway for hours."
    • "The highway was backed up due to an accident."
    • "Construction is underway to widen the highway."
    • "He worked as a truck driver, hauling goods along the long highway routes."

2. Figurative Meaning: A Path or Course of Action

  • Definition: This is a more metaphorical use of "highway." It describes a clear, well-defined path or direction someone is taking in life, their career, or a project. It suggests a promising and straightforward route.
  • Examples:
    • "Her career is on a highway to success." (Meaning she has a very promising career path ahead.)
    • "The company is blazing a highway to innovation." (Meaning they are aggressively pursuing new ideas and methods.)
    • "He’s on a highway to bankruptcy if he doesn’t cut his spending." (Meaning his financial situation is rapidly deteriorating.)
    • "The project is moving smoothly along its highway to completion." (Meaning progress is consistent and easy.)

3. "Highway Robbery" – A Rip-Off

  • Definition: This is an idiom! It describes something that is excessively overpriced or unfair – a rip-off or a deceptive deal.
  • Example:
    • "That restaurant charged us highway robbery for the meal!" (Meaning the prices were too high.)
    • “The taxi fare was a highway robbery!” (Meaning the fare was unfairly high.)

Key Things to Remember:

  • Capitalization: "Highway" is generally capitalized when referring to a specific, named highway (like the "Golden Highway"). It's lowercase when referring to a general type of road.
  • Related Words: You'll often see "highway" used with other words like:
    • Interstate (in the US) - a type of highway that connects states.
    • Motorway (in the UK)
    • Turnpike – A highway that charges tolls.
    • Route - Usually used with a specific highway number.

How to Choose the Right Meaning:

The context of the sentence will usually make it clear which meaning of "highway" is intended. If it’s about physical roads, it's the literal meaning. If it's about a journey or direction, it’s the figurative meaning. If you hear "highway robbery," it's a charge of being cheated.

Resources for More Information:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of how to use "highway" in a specific context?
  • Explain the origin of the "highway robbery" idiom?
  • Help you practice using the word in a sentence?

Synonyms for the word highway

Idioms of the word highway

highway robbery
the fact of somebody charging too much money for something
    my way or the highway
    (North American English, informal)used to say that somebody else has either to agree with your opinion or to leave

      Practice with vocabulary highway

      Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

      1. The new infrastructure project aims to expand the capacity of the busiest __________ connecting the capital to industrial zones.
      2. For long-distance travel, it's often more efficient to take the __________ rather than navigate smaller local roads.
      3. Hikers followed a narrow mountain __________ that offered breathtaking views of the valley below.
      4. To reach the airport quickly, drivers typically use the __________ where speeds are higher and stops are minimal.

      Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

      1. Which of the following terms describes a principal road that connects towns and cities, designed for high-speed traffic, often with limited access? a) alley b) highway c) lane d) motorway e) boulevard

      2. When discussing infrastructure projects aimed at improving inter-city connectivity and reducing transit times, which type of road is most frequently a subject of investment? a) dead-end b) highway c) dirt track d) pathway

      3. For long-haul freight transportation across an entire region, which road type is primarily utilized by commercial trucks? a) residential street b) highway c) service road d) cobblestone street

      4. Which terms are commonly used to refer to a public road, usually within an urban area, often lined with buildings and used for local traffic? a) cul-de-sac b) street c) boulevard d) avenue

      5. Which of these is a small, unpaved or poorly maintained road, often in a rural area, typically not part of the main road network? a) expressway b) byway c) turnpike d) freeway

      Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

      1. Original: The planned route will connect the industrial hub directly to the port, significantly reducing transit times for goods. Rewrite using "highway".

      2. Original: To facilitate faster movement of vehicles across the state, a new high-speed multi-lane road is under consideration. Rewrite using "highway".

      3. Original: Our destination required us to travel down a winding, unpaved track through dense forest. Rewrite without "highway", using a suitable replacement word.

      Answer:

      Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

      1. highway
      2. highway
      3. path
      4. expressway

      Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

      1. b) highway, d) motorway
      2. b) highway
      3. b) highway
      4. b) street, c) boulevard, d) avenue
      5. b) byway

      Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

      1. The construction of a new highway is planned to link the industrial hub directly to the port, which will significantly reduce transit times for goods.
      2. A new highway is under consideration to facilitate faster movement of vehicles across the state.
      3. Our destination required us to travel down a winding byway through dense forest.

      Comment ()