Home North American English route nationale

Definition of route nationale in US English:

route nationale

noun

  • In France and other French-speaking countries: a major highway.

Origin

Mid 19th century. From French route nationale one of a system of public long-distance roads in France, originally radiating from Paris (1830; earlier in more general senses, also with reference to countries other than France; compare national road) from route + nationale, feminine of national.