'autobahn' originates from German, specifically the word 'Autobahn', where 'Auto-' is short for 'automobile' and 'Bahn' meant 'track' or 'way'.

'autobahn' was coined in German in the early 20th century to refer to purpose-built motor roads; the German word 'Autobahn' entered English usage in the mid-20th century and became the modern English 'autobahn'.

Initially it meant 'motor road' or 'automobile track' in German; over time it came to refer specifically to Germany's high-speed expressways and in English denotes a high-speed divided highway (often implying sections without speed limits).