路段 (lù duàn) literally combines 路 (lù), meaning 'road' or 'street', and 段 (duàn), meaning 'section', 'segment', or 'stretch'. Together, it refers to a specific, defined portion of a road — not the entire road, but a particular stretch between two points, such as between two intersections, toll gates, or construction zones. It’s commonly used in transportation, traffic reporting, urban planning, and navigation contexts.

This term emphasizes measurable or administratively designated parts of roads — for example, a 5-kilometer stretch under repair, a speed-enforcement zone, or a scenic section along a highway. Unlike more general terms like 道路 (dàolù, 'road') or 街道 (jiēdào, 'street'), 路段 implies boundaries and functional specificity. It frequently appears in official notices, GPS instructions, news reports about traffic conditions, and engineering documents.