waystations
Rest points between
Waystations are stopping points along a route, places where travelers can rest, resupply, or transfer between stages of a journey.
The term originally referred to stations along stagecoach or railway lines.
Now it often appears figuratively for intermediate steps in any process or progression: The job was just a waystation on her path to something better.
Also spelled as two words: way stations.
Brief halt mid-journey
- layoverBreak between connecting flights
- rest stopRoadside traveler facility
- roadhouseWayside drinking establishment
- caravanseraiTraveler's courtyard lodge
inn · hostel · lodge · motel · tavern · post house · truckstop · pitstop
Shelter from danger
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- oasisFertile desert spot
- shelterProtected place or structure
- respiteShort pause from hardship
retreat · harbor · safehouse · hideaway · enclave · asylum · rest stop · outpost
Stage-by-stage transmission
- hubCentral connection point
- nodeConnection point in networks
- junctionPoint where things meet
- interchangeReciprocal transfer between parties
terminal · corridor · route · link · conduit · checkpoint · depot · outpost
Interim stage toward goal
- milestoneNotable event marking progress
- thresholdPoint of beginning
- midpointExact center between two
- crossroadsMeeting of routes
junction · interim · intermediate · phase · stage · progression · bridge · gateway
stopover
Brief halt mid-journey
- layoverBreak between connecting flights
- rest stopRoadside traveler facility
- roadhouseWayside drinking establishment
caravanserai · inn · hostel · lodge · motel · tavern · post house · truckstop · pitstop · bivouac
haven
Shelter from danger
respite · retreat · harbor · safehouse · hideaway · enclave · asylum · rest stop · outpost · stronghold
relay
Stage-by-stage transmission
interchange · terminal · corridor · route · link · conduit · checkpoint · depot · outpost · distribution
stepping-stone
Interim stage toward goal
crossroads · junction · interim · intermediate · phase · stage · progression · bridge · gateway · passage
- ancient traveltravelers, Silk Road, pilgrims, trade routes, caravans
- Roman travelRoman roads, Appian Way, milestones, travel routes, Ostia
- Edo roadscheckpoints, Kyoto, Shinjuku, sankin-kotai, mountain passes
- ancient innshostelries, coaching inns
- caravanscamel caravans, camel caravan, caravan route, caravan routes, caravan leader
waystationsendpoints
Where something begins and finishes
terminus · journey's end · terminal · destinations · finish line
waystationspermanent residence
Fixed long-term dwelling
home · settlement · dwelling · domicile · homestead