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autopista

motorway

noun ow-toh-PEES-tah Less Common
Travel & Places Transportation

Also means

freeway

Usage Note

Autopista is the main term for a controlled-access divided highway in Spain and Latin America; in Spain it often refers specifically to a toll highway, while a free expressway is called autovía. In Mexico and Central America the distinction is less strict. The compound is auto (car) + pista (track/lane), making its structure transparent.

Examples

"Tomamos la autopista para evitar el tráfico."

Natural Translation

We took the motorway to avoid traffic.

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