national roadn.
/ˌnaʃn̩(ə)l ˈrəʊd/, /ˌnaʃən(ə)l ˈrəʊd/, U.S. /ˌnæʃən(ə)l ˈroʊd/, /ˌnæʃn(ə)l ˈroʊd/ A major (usually intercity) road built or financed by a nation's government; (esp. in South African usage) any of a network of such roads. Also U.S. (in later use frequently with capital initials): (the name applied to) a highway built between 1811 and 1837 from Cumberland, Maryland, to Vandalia, Illinois (also called Cumberland road) (now historical).
ΚΠ
1817 Niles' Reg. 12 13/2 On the subject of national roads, the first that presents itself..is a turnpike from Maine to Louisiana.
1822 J. Woods Two Years' Resid. Eng. Prairie 53 This grand national road is intended to connect all the western country with the seat of government, as there is water communication from Cumberland to the city of Washington.
1832 New-Eng. Mag. Feb. 167/1 The House of Delegates, passed a bill..authorizing the Board of Public Works, to assume the jurisdiction over that portion of the National Road passing through the Commonwealth of Virginia.
1897 Outing 29 325/1 3 classes [of roads in Japan], the national roads, the prefecture roads between these [military] stations, and the village roads.
1935 Statutes Union S. Afr. 286 The Governor-General may, on the recommendation of the board..declare to be a national road, any road or part of a road the immediate or early construction or reconstruction of which is, in the opinion of the Governor-General, necessary in the national interest.
1963 A. Delius Day Natal took Off 9 He didn't realize that Sobisa would make straight for the national road to Durban and thumb a lift with a returning dagga-runner.
1998 National Geographic Mar. 94/2 The term ‘stogie’ comes from the National Road's Conestoga wagon drivers, who enjoyed cigars rolled from Ohio tobacco.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, June 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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