What does turnpike mean?
A turnpike is a road for which users pay a toll, commonly as part of the charge for passing through a toll plaza. In contemporary American English, the word often refers to a major divided highway or expressway operated as a toll route. British usage is more often historical: turnpike once commonly denoted the gate or barrier at which a road toll was collected, while the road itself became known as a turnpike road. The word has a distinctive history. It originally referred to a pivoting barrier fitted or protected with pointed spikes, which could be turned aside to admit a traveler who had paid. Over time, the name shifted from the toll-collecting mechanism to the road associated with it. Turnpikes were especially important during the period when road travel expanded and private toll-road companies maintained routes in return for collecting fees.
nounA road on which a fee, or toll, is charged for each vehicle. Historically, the term also referred to a pivoting barrier used to collect tolls on a road.
- A road on which a toll is charged for each vehicle.
- Historically, a pivoting gate or barrier across a road, used to collect a toll.
"Traffic on the turnpike was delayed by an accident near the toll plaza."
"The new turnpike reduced travel time between the two cities."
"Drivers stopped at the turnpike while the tollkeeper raised the barrier."
Used when referring to multiple toll roads or, historically, multiple toll barriers.
"Several turnpikes were built to connect the expanding cities."
Turnpike originally described a movable barrier armed with spikes, but the name eventually came to stand for the toll road itself.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does turnpike come from?
Turnpike developed in Middle English as a compound of turn and pike. The pike was the pointed spike or pointed barrier associated with the pivoting tollgate, which could be turned to allow or prevent passage. By the early modern period, the word had come to denote the toll road itself as well as its toll-collecting barrier. The English elements turn and pike also underlie related forms involving pike, such as pikestaff and pikeman.
Related word forms
How turnpike is actually used
In American English, turnpike commonly names a major toll road. In British English, it is chiefly historical or dated when referring to a road operated for tolls. The barrier sense is now largely historical.
Easily confused with turnpike
A turnpike is a toll road or toll barrier on a road, whereas a turnstile is a rotating gate that controls pedestrian entry and exit.