beltway

noun

belt·​way ˈbelt-ˌwā How to pronounce beltway (audio)
Synonyms of beltwaynext
often attributive
1
: a highway skirting an urban area
2
Beltway : the political and social world of Washington, D.C., viewed especially as insular and exclusive
… understanding better than Beltway insiders what really interests voters …—L. I. Barrett

Examples of beltway in a Sentence

Her influence extends beyond the Beltway.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And that car then made a corner and slammed into a concrete jersey barrier on the beltway. — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026 So here is something from way beyond the beltway, about one of Britain’s most influential broadcasters, who introduced generations to music from all around the world. — Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 17 Apr. 2026 Members of Congress exist in the cosseted Beltway bubble, enjoying special treatment and services their constituents do not. — Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 25 Mar. 2026 An extension of Paris’ tramlines — which shadow the beltway from the inside and now form an almost-complete ring around the city — has also given people who live in Paris’ outer boroughs their own alternative. — Marie Patino, Bloomberg, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beltway

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of beltway was in 1950

Rhymes for beltway

See All Rhymes for beltway

Browse Nearby Words

belt up
beltway
beltwise
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Beltway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beltway. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on beltway

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for beltway

Nglish: Translation of beltway for Spanish Speakers

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