traffic

[ˈtræfɪk]

traffic Definition

• 1. the movement of vehicles, ships, or aircraft along a road, waterway, or air route
• 2. the amount of vehicles, pedestrians, or ships moving along a road, waterway, or air route at a particular time
• 3. the trade or exchange of goods, especially illegal drugs

Using traffic: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "traffic" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The traffic on the highway was heavy during rush hour.

• Example

  The port handles a lot of shipping traffic.

• Example

  The police are cracking down on drug traffic in the area.

traffic Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for traffic

• transportation
• conveyance
• movement
• flow
• exchange

Antonyms for traffic

• stillness
• inactivity

Idioms Using traffic

• traffic in something

  to deal or trade in something, often something illegal or unethical

  Example

  He was arrested for trafficking in stolen goods.

• traffic court

  a court that deals with traffic violations and related offenses

  Example

  He had to go to traffic court after getting a speeding ticket.

• traffic school

  a course that drivers can take to improve their driving skills or reduce points on their driving record

  Example

  She signed up for traffic school to avoid having her license suspended.

Phrases with traffic

• traffic jam

  a situation where vehicles are stationary or very slow-moving for a period of time because of congestion on the road

  Example

  I was late for work because there was a traffic jam on the freeway.

• air traffic control

  the activity of directing and monitoring the movement of aircraft in order to maintain safe distances between them

  Example

  Air traffic control is responsible for ensuring that planes do not collide with each other.

• human trafficking

  the illegal trade of human beings for the purposes of forced labor, sexual exploitation, or organ harvesting

  Example

  Human trafficking is a serious problem in many parts of the world.

Origins of traffic

from Old Italian 'traffico', meaning 'trade'

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Summary: traffic in Brief

The term 'traffic' [ˈtræfɪk] refers to the movement of vehicles, ships, or aircraft along a road, waterway, or air route. It also denotes the amount of vehicles, pedestrians, or ships moving along a route at a particular time. 'Traffic' extends into phrases like 'traffic jam,' and idioms like 'traffic in something,' denoting illegal or unethical trade.