ˈau̇d.ōˌbän, ˈȯd.ō- noun
( plural autobahns -nz ; also auto·bah·nen -nən)
Usage: sometimes capitalized
Etymology: German (probably translation of Italian autostrada ), from auto- auto- (II) + bahn track, road, from Middle High German ban, bane; akin to German dialect (Westphalia) baanen to hammer out, Old High German bano death, destruction — more at bane
: a road in Germany with double traffic lanes in each direction separated by a parkway