road

English

/ɹəʊd/, /ɹoʊd/

noun
Definitions
  • A way used for travelling between places, originally one wide enough to allow foot passengers and horses to travel, now (US) usually one surfaced with asphalt or concrete and designed to accommodate many vehicles travelling in both directions. In the UK both senses are heard: a country road is the same as a country lane.
  • A road; or particularly a car, as a means of transportation.
  • (figuratively) A path chosen in life or career.
  • An underground tunnel in a mine.
  • (US) A railway or (UK) a single railway track.
  • (obsolete) The act of riding on horseback.
  • (obsolete) A hostile ride against a particular area; a raid.
  • (nautical) A partly sheltered area of water near a shore in which vessels may ride at anchor; a roadstead.
  • (obsolete) A journey, or stage of a journey.
  • A way or route.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English rode (cross, ride, reckoning) inherited from Old English rād (riding, hostile incursion, road) inherited from *raidu inherited from Proto-Germanic *raidō (a ride) derived from Proto-Indo-European *reydʰ- (go, ride).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*reydʰ-

Gloss

go, ride

Concept
Semantic Field

Motion

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Kanji

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms