Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

turnpike

/ˈtɜː(ɹ)npaɪk/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.18 in modern English

Syllables
turn-pike
IPA
/ˈtɜː(ɹ)npaɪk/
14
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
2
Syllables
8
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

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.

noun

A winding stairway.

noun

A toll road, especially a toll expressway. In some places the clipped version, pike, is used for roads without tolls.

American usage

verb

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

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

Etymology

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

Origin

Word Breakdown

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

Synonyms

Questions

How do you pronounce turnpike?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈtɜː(ɹ)npaɪk/.
What does turnpike mean?
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.
Where does turnpike come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce turnpike

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “turnpike”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈtɜː(ɹ)npaɪk/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “turnpike”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “turnpike” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.