American transportation jargon for the primary through-traffic lanes on a highway or freeway, as distinct from on-ramps, off-ramps, service roads, or collector-distributor lanes. When traffic reports say 'the mainlane is backed up for three miles,' they mean the main body of the freeway is congested. It's a practical, functional term used by transport engineers, traffic reporters, and regular commuters in the US to communicate about highway conditions with precision.
Avoid the freeway this morning — there's a stalled truck in the mainlane causing a massive backup near the exit.
No comments yet — say something.
(US, transport) A lane of a road used by traffic.
No comments yet — say something.
Add your own interpretation of "mainlane".
Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.