Beltway Common

Origin: Germanic Old English prefix

Beltway has 4 different meanings across 2 categories:

Definitions

Noun

a highway that encircles an urban area so that traffic does not have to pass through the center

"After getting stuck in downtown rush hour, I decided to take the beltway to avoid driving through the crowded city center."

beltway bypass ring road ringway

A freeway that encircles a city.

"After driving for hours on the congested beltway, we finally reached our destination outside the city limits."

Adjective

Of or relating to the culture of Washington, D.C.; politicized.

"The new bill was quickly co-opted by the beltway insiders who knew exactly how to spin it for maximum political gain."

Proper Noun

A 64-mile Interstate freeway surrounding Washington, D.C..

"The traffic on the Beltway was gridlocked during rush hour because of an accident near the Potomac River."