on the road

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

road /roʊd/   n. [countable]

1. a long, narrow stretch or way of land with a leveled surface, made for traveling by motor vehicle, etc.;
   street or highway:
   The dirt road led to the farmhouse.
2. a way or course:
   the road to peace.

Idioms

3. Idioms down the road, [Informal.] at some future time:
   promised she would cover that somewhere down the road.
4. Idioms hit the road, [Informal.] to begin or continue traveling:
   Time to hit the road; let's go.
5. Idioms one for the road, [uncountable] [Informal.] a final alcoholic drink just before leaving.
6. Idioms on the road:
   • traveling or touring:
     The band has been on the road for almost two months.
   • changing, as from one condition to another:
     on the road to recovery.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

On′ the Road′, 

1. Literature a novel (1957) by Jack Kerouac.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

road  (rōd), n. 

1. a long, narrow stretch with a smoothed or paved surface, made for traveling by motor vehicle, carriage, etc., between two or more points;
   street or highway.
2. a way or course:
   the road to peace.
3. a railroad.
4. Nautical, Naval Terms Often, roads. Also called roadstead. a partly sheltered area of water near a shore in which vessels may ride at anchor.
5. Mining any tunnel in a mine used for hauling.
6. burn up the road, [Slang.] to drive or move very fast.
7. down the road, in the future:
   Economists see higher interest rates down the road.
8. hit the road, [Slang.] to begin or resume traveling:
   We hit the road before sunrise.
9. one for the road, a final alcoholic drink taken just before departing from a party, tavern, or the like.
10. on the road:
    • traveling, esp. as a sales representative.
    • on tour, as a theatrical company:
      The musical ends its New York run next week to go on the road.
    • started;
      under way:
      We need funds to get the project on the road.
11. take to the road, to begin a journey or tour. Also, take the road. 
12. the road, the places, usually outside of New York City, at which theatrical companies on tour generally give performances.

• Middle English rode, earlier rade, Old English rād a riding, journey on horseback, akin to rīdan to ride bef. 900

road′less, adj. 
road′less•ness, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

road / rəʊd/ noun

1. an open way, usually surfaced with asphalt or concrete, providing passage from one place to another
2. (as modifier): road traffic, a road map, a road sign
3. (in combination): the roadside
4. a street
5. (capital when part of a name): London Road
6. 
   short for railroad
7. one of the tracks of a railway
8. a way, path, or course: the road to fame
9. Also called: roadstead (often plural) a partly sheltered anchorage
10. a drift or tunnel in a mine, esp a level one
11. hit the road ⇒ to start or resume travelling
12. on the road ⇒ travelling, esp as a salesperson
13. leading a wandering life
14. take the road, take to the road ⇒ to begin a journey or tour
15. one for the road ⇒ a last alcoholic drink before leaving

Etymology: Old English rād; related to rīdan to ride, and to Old Saxon rēda, Old Norse reith

ˈroadless adjective