street

1 of 2

noun

ˈstrēt 

plural streets

1

a

: a thoroughfare especially in a city, town, or village that is wider than an alley or lane and that usually includes sidewalks

b

: the part of a street reserved for vehicles

c

: a thoroughfare with abutting property

lives on a fashionable street

2

: the people occupying property on a street

The whole street knew about the accident.

3

: a promising line of development or a channeling of effort

a crafty politician working both sides of the street

success through compromise is a two-way street

4

capitalized

a

: a district (such as Wall Street or Fleet Street) identified with a particular profession

b

: the people who work in such a district

doing better than the Street expected

5

: an underprivileged neighborhood, section, etc. (as of a city) in which residents experience many difficulties and dangers

—often used in the plural

grew up on the mean streets

street

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of or relating to the streets: such as

a

: adjoining or giving access to a street

the street entrance

an apartment at street level

a lack of street parking [=places to park along a street]

b

: carried on or taking place in the street

street fighting

a street party

see also street fighter, street hockey

c

: living or working on the streets

a street artist/vendor

street people [=people who are unhoused]

d

: located in, used for, or serving as a guide to the streets

street art

a street market

street signs

a street map

a street corner [=the area of a sidewalk where two streets meet]

see also street food, streetlight

e

: performing in or heard on the street

a street band

see also street theater

f(1)

: suitable for wear or use on the street

street clothes

(2)

: not touching the ground

—used of a woman's dress in lengths reaching the knee, calf, or ankle

g

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the street (see street entry 1 sense 5)

street drugs

street talk

see also street cred, street-smart, street smarts, streetwise

2

: retail

the street price

see also street date

Phrases

on the street or in the street

1

: idle, unhoused, or out of a job

2

: out of prison : at liberty

up one's street or down one's street

: suited to one's abilities or taste

Synonyms

Noun

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

Examples of street in a Sentence

Noun

They live on a busy street.

You should look both ways before crossing the street.

The police car cruised up the street.

Many of our customers walk in off the street without having heard of us before.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

People pass by on the street as Hurricane Rafael passes by Havana, Cuba, on Wednesday. —Reuters, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024

Police, meanwhile, were able to clear the streets of Dublin after crowds formed for the non-existent parade. —Abigail Adams, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024

Adjective

The newspaper also pointed out that mid-street crossing is common in the area, in no small part because the median between the two one-way roads that Herzberg was crossing contains an apparent pedestrian walkway. —Jeremy Hsu, Discover Magazine, 22 Mar. 2018

An atmospheric, sub-street level wine cellar-vibe addition in the former Biondi Mills in Ostiense, said to be inspired by the 1950’s American soda companies. —Lana Bortolot, Forbes, 27 June 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English strete, from Old English strǣt, from Late Latin strata paved road, from Latin, feminine of stratus, past participle — more at stratum

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing street

• across the street
• civvy street
• cloud street
• down the street
• easy street
• high street
• hit the street
• live on the street(s)
• man in the street
• man on the street
• Mexican street corn
• off-street
• on easy street
• side street
• street clothes
• street corn
• street corner
• street cred
• street date
• street drugs
• street fighter
• street food
• street hockey
• street level
• street map
• street parking
• street people
• street price
• street railway
• street signs
• street-smart
• street smarts
• street talk
• street theater
• the man in the street
• through street
• two-way street
• up someone's street
• up the street
• woman of the street
• word on the street

Kids Definition

street

1 of 2 noun

ˈstrēt 

1

a

: a public way especially in a city, town, or village usually including sidewalks and being wider than an alley or lane

b

: the part of a street reserved for vehicles

c

: a public way with the property along it

lived on Maple Street

2

: the people occupying property on a street

the whole street was excited

street

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of or relating to the street or streets

a street door

a street map

street clothes

2

: of or relating to the environment of the street

street people

Etymology

Noun

Old English strǣt "street," from Latin strata "paved road," derived from earlier stratus, past participle of sternere "to spread out"