turnpike

/ˈtɜːnpaɪk/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɚnpˌaɪk] /ˈtɜːrnpaɪk/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈɚnpˌaɪk] /ˈtərn-ˌpīk How to pronounce turnpike (audio)/ (ame, mw)

turnpike — noun

  • turnpikesingular
  • turnpikesplural

1. a major road, especially in the US, where drivers pay a fee to travel on it

1.名詞C1
釋義

a major road, especially in the US, where drivers pay a fee to travel on it

例句

Jisoo took the turnpike to Newark and paid at the first toll booth.

collocation: take the turnpike

A warning sign on the turnpike told drivers to slow down near Exit 12.

pattern: on the turnpike

同義詞
  • toll road

    the plain everyday term that explains the meaning directly

  • tollway

    another American term, common in some regions and road names

  • thruway

    regional American term, especially in parts of the northeastern US

反義詞
  • freeway

    a major road that does not normally charge a toll

文法句型

take the turnpike

on the turnpike

leave the turnpike at [exit]

用法筆記

Mostly used in American English, often in the official name of a road. Unlike 'expressway' or 'freeway', a turnpike normally involves paying a toll.

常見錯誤

❌We took the turnpike because it was free.
✅We took the freeway because it was free.
💡A turnpike normally charges drivers a toll.

2. a gate or barrier across a road that blocked travelers until they paid a toll

2.名詞C2
釋義

a gate or barrier across a road that blocked travelers until they paid a toll

例句

In the old painting, a guard stood beside the turnpike and counted coins.

historical turnpike as a gate

Travelers had to stop at the turnpike before entering the bridge road.

stop at the turnpike

同義詞
  • tollgate

    the closest modern word for a gate where payment is collected

  • barrier

    more general; it can block movement without collecting money

文法句型

stop at the turnpike

open the turnpike

pass through the turnpike

用法筆記

This is the older historical meaning of the word. In modern everyday English, 'turnpike' usually means the road itself instead of the gate.

常見錯誤

❌The turnpike in this old drawing is the road itself.
✅The turnpike in this old drawing is the gate across the road.
💡In historical use, the word can refer to the barrier, not the whole road.