Highway
A public way for travel, from footpaths to motorways.
The word "highway" can describe any land-based public or private way, including major roads and rights of way. Its use dates back to before the 12th century, with "high" meaning "main." In North America and Australia, the term often refers to major roads like controlled-access highways, which are typically maintained by state or provincial governments. In British English, however, "highway" is mainly a legal term, covering any route or path—such as footpaths—that the public has a right to access.
Major highways are frequently named and numbered by the governments that develop and maintain them. Australia’s Highway 1 is the longest national highway globally, running almost entirely around the continent. China possesses the world’s most extensive highway network, closely followed by the United States. Some highways span multiple countries, such as the Pan-American Highway or the European routes, while others incorporate ferry services, like US Route 10 crossing Lake Michigan. Historically, highways were used by people on foot or horseback, later accommodating carriages, bicycles, and motor cars as road construction advanced. During the 1920s and 1930s, many nations began heavy investment in highway systems to spur commerce and bolster national defense. In populous developed and developing countries, major highways connecting cities often include features to enhance capacity, efficiency, and safety, such as reduced access points, dual carriageways with multiple lanes, and grade-separated junctions. These features are typical of motorways or freeways. The term has also spawned related terms like highway system, highway code, highway patrol, and highwayman. In England and Wales, the legal definition focuses on public right of use rather than construction form, encompassing everything from trunk roads to footpaths. Scots law is similar but uses the term "road" for such public rights of passage, with "highway" remaining a common law term.
- Largest highway network
- China, followed by the United States
Lore & Background
Traditionally used by people on foot or horses, highways later accommodated carriages, bicycles, and motor cars, facilitated by advancements in road construction. In the 1920s and 1930s, many nations invested heavily in highway systems to spur commerce and bolster national defence. Major highways often incorporate features like dual carriageways with multiple lanes on each side and grade-separated junctions to enhance capacity and safety. The term "highway" predates the 12th century, with "high" used in the sense of "main." In its broadest sense, a highway is any public or private road or way on land, including major roads and other public rights of way. In the United States, the term describes major roads and is sometimes used casually as a synonym for freeway or expressway. In North American and Australian English, major roads are often state or provincial highways, while other roads may be designated county highways, reflecting the level of government that maintains them. In British English, "highway" is primarily a legal term covering any route or path with public right of access, including footpaths. In England and Wales, a highway is defined as a way over which all members of the public have the right to pass and repass without hindrance at all times. This definition can be modified for specific structures like toll bridges and tunnels. Limited-access highways for vehicles with their own traffic rules are called motorways in the UK. In Scotland, the term "road" is used similarly, with "highway" remaining a common law term.
Reader's Guide
Highways have traditionally served as routes for people on foot or horseback, later accommodating carriages, bicycles, and eventually motor vehicles as road construction advanced. During the 1920s and 1930s, many nations began heavy investment in highway systems to stimulate commerce and bolster national defence. Major highways connecting cities in populous developed and developing countries often incorporate features to enhance capacity, efficiency, and safety, such as limited access points, dual carriageways with multiple lanes, and grade-separated junctions. These features are typical of motorways or freeways. The term "highway" predates the 12th century, with "high" meaning "main." In North American and Australian English, major roads are often state or provincial highways, while other roads may be designated county highways in the US and Ontario, referring to the level of government maintaining them. In British English, "highway" is primarily a legal term covering any route with public right of access, including footpaths. In England and Wales, a highway is defined as a way over which all members of the public have the right to pass and repass without hindrance at all times, encompassing everything from trunk roads to narrow footpaths. This legal definition can be modified for specific structures like toll bridges and tunnels. Scotland’s law similarly defines a "road" as any way with a public right of passage. The term has spawned related terms including highway system, highway code, highway patrol, and highwayman.
Did You Know?
- The use of the term 'highway' predates the 12th century.
- In British English, 'highway' is a legal term that can include footpaths.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly counts as a highway in the broadest sense?
A highway is any public or private route on land that people can travel, stretching from simple footpaths all the way up to major motorways. It is not limited to the big multi-lane roads most people first picture when they hear the word.
How does the meaning of 'highway' differ between British and American English?
In British English, the term functions primarily as a legal classification covering any route the public has a right of access to. In North American and Australian usage, it more commonly points to major controlled-access roads, often designated as state or provincial highways.
Which country has the largest highway network in the world?
China holds the top spot for the most extensive highway system globally, with the United States following in second place.
How old is the word 'highway' and what did 'high' originally mean in it?
The term predates the 12th century, and 'high' carried the sense of 'main' or 'principal' rather than referring to elevation. It served to distinguish the primary route from smaller local paths.
Does 'highway' only apply to big multi-lane expressways?
No—the definition is far broader than that. It encompasses any public way on land, including footpaths, minor country roads, and rights of way, not just the controlled-access motorways people typically associate with the term.
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