turnpike

Meanings

Noun

(from 16th to 19th centuries) gates set across a road to prevent passage until a toll had been paid
an expressway on which tolls are collected
A frame consisting of two bars crossing each other at right angles and turning on a post or pin, to hinder the passage of animals, but admitting a person to pass between the arms; a turnstile.
A gate or bar set across a road to stop carriages, animals, and sometimes people, until a toll is paid,
A winding stairway.
A beam filled with spikes to obstruct passage; a cheval de frise.
A toll road, especially a toll expressway.
A trajectory on a finite time interval that satisfies an optimality criterion which is associated with a cost function.

Verb

To form (a road, etc.) in the manner of a turnpike road, or into a rounded form, as the path of a road.

Origin / Etymology

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

Synonyms

pike, toll road, tollgate

Scrabble Score: 14

turnpike is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
turnpike is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
turnpike is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 17

turnpike is a valid Words With Friends word