traffic

Everyday

1. The cars, buses, lorries, bikes and other vehicles moving on roads. tree →
2. The amount of movement of people, ships, planes or data: air traffic, internet traffic. tree →
3. Illegal buying and selling (traffic in drugs — adult use). tree →

In the lessons

In road safety: stop, look and listen before crossing; cross at traffic lights, zebra crossings or with a lollipop person/crossing guard; traffic drives on the left in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand and on the right in the USA and Canada, so look the right way first; never play near traffic. In everyday life: traffic jams make people late. Phrases: traffic lights, heavy traffic, traffic jam, busy traffic, traffic cone, traffic warden, oncoming traffic, rush-hour traffic.

Examples

• Wait for the green man at the traffic lights. tree →
• The traffic was very heavy this morning. tree →
• We were stuck in a traffic jam. tree →
• Look out for traffic before you cross. tree →
• In the UK traffic drives on the left. tree →
• In the USA traffic drives on the right. tree →
• Never play ball near traffic. tree →
• Air traffic controllers guide planes. tree →
• An old house stood there; it was in the large town with its busy traffic. tree →

Note

Uncountable: «a lot of traffic», not «a traffic» or «traffics». Traffic lights: red = stop, amber/yellow = get ready or stop, green = go if safe. Which way to look first depends on the country: in the UK look right first; in the USA look left first.

In Jewish tradition

Old sense meaning to trade and do business, not cars. In the primary lessons: In road safety: stop, look and listen before crossing; cross at traffic lights, zebra crossings or with a lollipop person/crossing guard; traffic drives on the left in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand and on the right in the USA and Canada, so look the right way first; never play near traffic. In everyday life: traffic jams make people late. Phrases: traffic lights, heavy traffic, traffic jam, busy traffic, traffic cone, traffic warden, oncoming traffic, rush-hour traffic.

Examples

• And bring your youngest brother unto me; then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye are upright men; so will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffic in the land.' (Torah GEN.42.34, JPS 1917) tree →
• Haran and Canneh and Eden, the traffickers of Sheba, Asshur was as thine apprentice in traffic. (Prophets EZK.27.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou hast moreover multiplied thy harlotry with the land of traffic, even with Chaldea; and yet thou didst not have enough herewith. (Prophets EZK.16.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• In thy great wisdom by thy traffic hast thou increased thy riches, and thy heart is lifted up because of thy riches — (Prophets EZK.28.5, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable: «a lot of traffic», not «a traffic» or «traffics». Traffic lights: red = stop, amber/yellow = get ready or stop, green = go if safe. Which way to look first depends on the country: in the UK look right first; in the USA look left first.