What does superhighway mean?
Superhighway denotes a major road built to carry fast, high-volume traffic, usually with controlled access so that vehicles enter and leave at designated interchanges rather than at frequent crossroads. The word is chiefly associated with North American English, where it emphasizes a road’s scale and traffic-moving function and may refer to a freeway, expressway, or other limited-access route. In British English, motorway and motorway network are common, although superhighway is also understood. The term can also be used figuratively, especially in the expression information superhighway, for a high-capacity channel carrying data, communication, or commerce. In ordinary use, superhighway is descriptive rather than a highly formal traffic-engineering label. It is useful because it combines a familiar road category with the prefix super-, immediately conveying greater speed, capacity, or importance without requiring technical specifications.
nounA major, high-capacity road, generally with limited access and controlled entry, intended for fast-moving, high-volume traffic.
- A major, high-capacity road, generally with limited access and controlled entry, designed for fast-moving, high-volume traffic.
- Figuratively, a large-capacity route or network for the rapid movement of information, communication, or commerce.
"The new superhighway reduced journey times across the region."
"Traffic backed up for miles on the superhighway into the city."
"The policy was intended to build an information superhighway for schools and businesses."
The plural is regular and takes the usual plural ending.
"Several superhighways connect the metropolitan area to neighboring cities."
A superhighway is a highway scaled up: controlled entry and extra capacity are designed to keep heavy traffic moving.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does superhighway come from?
Superhighway is an English compound formed from the prefix super- and the word highway. The prefix comes through Old French from Latin super, meaning “above,” “over,” or “beyond,” while highway descends from Old English hīgweg, “high road” or “main road.” The modern compound developed during the period of rapid highway construction in the 20th century and shares its Latin prefix element with words such as superior and supreme.
Related word forms
How superhighway is actually used
The term is standard in North American English. In British English, motorway is often preferred for a major controlled-access road, although superhighway is readily understood. It is descriptive rather than a highly technical classification.
Easily confused with superhighway
A highway may include roads with frequent intersections and direct access to adjoining properties, whereas a superhighway usually has controlled access and emphasizes high-speed, high-volume travel.