Fig. traveling from place to place, not necessarily on the highways; working away from one's home or office. I was on the road with the circus for six months.I don't work in the main office anymore. Now I'm on the road.
traveling to different places The band spends three months a year on the road.Busy professionals prefer e-mail because they can work at home, at the office, or on the road.
Usage notes: often used to describe traveling entertainers or sales representatives
1. Traveling, as in Our salesmen are on the road five days a week. [Mid-1600s]
2. on the road to. On the way to, following a course that will end in. For example, We could see Mary was on the road to recovery, or The business obviously was on the road to ruin. [Mid-1600s]
mod. traveling from place to place, not necessarily on the highways. (see also get the show on the road.) I was on the road with the circus for six months.