Skip to main content
interchange

interchange

8 5.6
A road junction with ramps that lets cars change highways without crossing traffic
  • noun
  • /ˈɪntərˌʧeɪndʒ/
translation icon : intercambio
  • At the busy interchange, cars move smoothly from one highway to another without stopping.
  • freeway interchange
  • highway interchange

And then with navigating autopilot, you can change lanes, take highway interchanges.

Examples

  • I am standing here overlooking the 5570 interchange where you can see the number of cars we're talking about.

  • Everybody converge at the 105-405 interchange.

  • Take me to that interchange at the 105.

  • Look, look, there are three interchanges downtown.

  • We pulled off at the first interchange after we turned southwest for the final run into Knoxville.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • You know that interchange down the Los Angeles harbor freeway, the Santa Ana, they all come together?

  • Once I was clear of the expressway interchanges, the westbound traffic also moved well.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • "The state's top transportation priority is the Ga. 400 and I-285 interchange," Riley said.

    Blog text (14)
  • It's on the 105 eastbound approaching the 110 interchange.

  • The new interchange design will help reduce congestion by allowing vehicles to change directions easily.

Synonyms

junction
vsinterchange
61 3.0

A place where several roads, rivers, or train tracks meet

is a multi-level highway connection that avoids crossing other traffic streams

Compounds

A code using seven bits to represent letters, numbers, and simple control characters so computers can share text

How Complex

cloverleaf
  • Specialized
1 6.6
interchange
8 5.6
intersection
118 2.6

Surface Forms

interchange singular
interchanges plural

Morphology

interchange = change (semi-transparent) = inter + change

Although built from 'inter-' + 'change', the specialized sense 'road junction' requires knowledge of traffic terminology and is not immediately obvious to all learners.

Etymology

Interchange comes from the parts inter- 'between' and change 'to move or swap'. That idea of 'changing between' roads explains the highway interchange, where vehicles move from one road to another without crossing other traffic.