thoroughfare

noun

thor·​ough·​fare ˈthər-ə-ˌfer 

ˈthə-rə-

1

: a way or place for passage: such as

a

: a street open at both ends

b

: a main road

2

a

: passage, transit

b

: the conditions necessary for passing through

Synonyms

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

Examples of thoroughfare in a Sentence

one of the city's main thoroughfares

Recent Examples on the Web

The Nashville Public Library has unveiled an oral history of Music Row featuring the executives and industry insiders who know the iconic thoroughfare best. —Nate Rau, Axios, 25 Mar. 2025

Located in a strip mall along the busy thoroughfare, the store had debuted in fall of 2020. —Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 24 Mar. 2025

For example, two 2021 California laws known SB 9 and SB 10 let developers erect three-story buildings along all major thoroughfares, regardless of locale. —Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025

Gang members apparently gained access to the slum via a gully that runs parallel to the Auto Route of Delmas, the main thoroughfare. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for thoroughfare

• aftercare
• anywhere
• billionaire
• chinaware
• debonair
• dinnerware
• disrepair
• doctrinaire
• earthenware
• everywhere
• frigidaire
• kitchenware

Kids Definition

thoroughfare

noun

thor·​ough·​fare ˈthər-ə-ˌfa(ə)r 

ˈthə-rə-,

-ˌfe(ə)r

1

: a street or road open at both ends

2

: a main road