turnpike

[ turn-pahyk ]

/ ˈtɜrnˌpaɪk /

a high-speed highway, especially one maintained by tolls.

(formerly) a barrier set across such a highway to stop passage until a toll has been paid; tollgate.

Origin of turnpike

1375–1425; late Middle English turnepike road barrier (in def. 1, short for turnpike road). See turn, pike²

A new line of battle was formed on the plank road west of Chancellorsville, and on the turnpike east.

The Campaign of Chancellorsville |Theodore A. Dodge
The few who are left after the tremendous volleys flee into the cornfield, towards the turnpike.

Following the Flag |Charles Carleton Coffin
Near the turnpike stood a tall gentleman, making a sketch in a note-book of some felled timber lying by the road side.

Hide and Seek |Wilkie Collins
And still as fast as he drew near, 'Twas wonderful to view, How in a trice the turnpike men Their gates wide open threw.

Graded Poetry: Second Year |Various

I shut the gate, mounted Taffy, and drew up across the road a little way below the turnpike.

A Book of Ghosts |Sabine Baring-Gould

turnpike

/ (ˈtɜːnˌpaɪk) /

(between the mid-16th and late 19th centuries)

gates or some other barrier set across a road to prevent passage until a toll had been paid
a road on which a turnpike was operated

an obsolete word for turnstile (def. 1)

US a motorway for use of which a toll is charged

C15: from turn + pike ²