Link Centre Dictionary

turnpike

turn·pike

UK/ˈtɜː(ɹ)npaɪk/ US/ˈtɜrˌnpaɪk/ uncommon us

noun

1.

(from 16th to 19th centuries) gates set across a road to prevent passage until a toll had been paid

2.

an expressway on which tolls are collected

Origin

From Middle English turnpyke (“spiked barrier across a road”), originally used to block access to such a road until a toll was paid. Equivalent to modern turn + pike (“shaft”).

Phrases

  • turnpike doubles
  • turnpike sailor

Related words

Broader terms

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.