beltway Definition
- 1a highway or expressway that encircles a city, especially one that is associated with the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area
- 2a political or social group that is elitist and exclusive
Using beltway: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "beltway" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The Beltway around Washington, D.C. is notorious for its traffic.
Example
The Beltway insiders were not surprised by the decision.
Example
The Beltway mentality is often criticized for being out of touch with ordinary Americans.
beltway Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for beltway
- bypass
- ring road
- peripheral road
Phrases with beltway
refers to the political and social elite who work or live within the area enclosed by the Beltway in Washington, D.C.
Example
The policy was widely discussed inside the Beltway, but few ordinary Americans knew about it.
refers to people or things that are not part of the political and social elite who work or live within the area enclosed by the Beltway in Washington, D.C.
Example
The issue was not discussed much outside the Beltway, but it was important to many Americans.
a company or contractor that does business with the federal government, especially one located near Washington, D.C.
Example
The Beltway bandits have been accused of overcharging the government for their services.
Origins of beltway
from the circular highway surrounding Washington, D.C.
Summary: beltway in Brief
The term 'beltway' [belt-wey] refers to a highway or expressway that encircles a city, especially the one surrounding Washington, D.C. It also refers to a political or social group that is elitist and exclusive, known as 'inside the Beltway.' The term extends into phrases like 'outside the Beltway,' referring to people or things that are not part of the political and social elite, and 'Beltway bandit,' denoting a company or contractor that does business with the federal government.
