avenue

noun

av·​e·​nue ˈa-və-ˌnü 

-ˌnyü

1

: a way of access : route

2

: a channel for pursuing a desired object

avenues of communication

3

a

chiefly British : the principal walk or driveway to a house situated off a main road

b

: a broad passageway bordered by trees

4

: an often broad street or road

Synonyms

• arterial
• artery
• boulevard
• carriageway [British]
• drag
• drive
• expressway
• freeway
• high road
• highway
• pass
• pike
• road
• roadway
• route
• row
• street
• thoroughfare
• thruway
• trace
• turnpike
• way

Examples of avenue in a Sentence

We drove down the avenue.

We plan to pursue all available avenues to get our message to the public.

They have closed off that avenue of discussion.

a new avenue of research

Recent Examples on the Web

Planning Commission voted in August to deny the project proposed for Mission and Whitney avenues in Carmichael. —Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 28 Jan. 2025

Here’s what will be closed for that hour: ▪ Eastbound and westbound lanes on Northwest 36th Street between Northwest 79th and 87th avenues. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025

Police are investigating other gunfire incidents, including a video circulating on social media of a man shooting into the air at Frankford and Cottman avenues, police said. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2025

Research suggests the first Trump administration never met its goal of referring 1,600 cases for civil or criminal prosecution, two avenues used to revoke citizenship. —Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from feminine of avenu, past participle of avenir to come to, from Latin advenire — more at adventure

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

avenue

noun

av·​e·​nue ˈav-ə-ˌn(y)ü 

1

: a way or route to a place or goal : path

2

: a usually wide street