Interstate
/ˈɪn.tər.steɪt/noun
Connecting or existing between states, especially a highway system crossing state lines.
Did you know?Interstate is a transparent Latin-built compound, and its force comes from the same ancient root behind words like stand, state, statue, and even understand—everything “set in place” is part of this family.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*steh₂-
“to stand, set, or make firm”
Latin
Latin
inter
“between, among”
Latin
Latin
status
“a standing, position, condition”
Old French
Old French
estat
“condition, rank, estate”
Middle English
English
state
“condition, rank, political body”
19th Century
English
interstate
“between states; later, a road or highway system crossing state lines”