on-ramp

IPA/ˈɒn ræmp/
IPA/ˈɑːn ræmp/

on-ramp — noun

1. a connecting road that lets drivers enter a highway or another large main road

1.nounB1
Definition

a connecting road that lets drivers enter a highway or another large main road

Example

Theo moved into the right lane early and took the on-ramp to Route 8.

take the on-ramp to [road]

Orange cones narrowed the on-ramp, so traffic merged one car at a time.

traffic merges from the on-ramp

Common collocations
  • take the on-ramp
  • miss the on-ramp
  • merge from the on-ramp
  • block the on-ramp
  • the on-ramp to Route 8
Synonyms
  • entry ramp

    another North American term with the same meaning

  • entrance ramp

    common in traffic reports and road signs

  • slip road

    British term that may refer to either an entrance or an exit road

Antonyms
  • off-ramp

    the road used to leave the highway

Usage Note

Used for entering a highway, not leaving it. In British English, slip road can refer to either an entrance or an exit road, so the direction may need context.

Common Mistakes

Take the off-ramp to get onto the highway.
Take the on-ramp to get onto the highway.
An on-ramp leads you onto the main road; an off-ramp leads you away from it.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

An on-ramp is specifically the road used to enter a highway. An off-ramp is the road used to leave it. Slip road is the broader British term and may describe either direction unless the context makes the movement clear.

off-ramp ↗slip road ↗entry ramp

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • take the on-ramp
  • miss the on-ramp
  • merge from the on-ramp
  • the on-ramp to Route 8

Prepositions

Etymology

English

Formed in English from on + ramp to describe the ramp or connecting road that carries traffic onto a larger road.