street

1 of 2

noun

ˈstrēt 

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 environment (as in a depressed neighborhood or section of a city) of poverty, dereliction, or crime

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 door

b

: carried on or taking place in the street

street fighting

c

: living or working on the streets

a street peddler

street people

d

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

a street map

e

: performing in or heard on the street

a street band

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 environment

street drugs

used … his new street cred to develop contacts

—Dale Keiger

2

: retail

the street price

Phrases

on the street or in the street

1

: idle, homeless, 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

Two Mediterranean-style homes sit on this generous plot in the San Fernando Valley, and David is hunkered down in the one closest to the street, which houses the couple’s production company, Yoruba Saxon, its name a nod to their respective cultural heritages. —Jen Wang, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2024

Southeast Asian cities are big and messy, with narrow streets and roads that aren’t clearly signposted. —Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 27 Apr. 2024

The plan also talks about creating streets that fulfill dual roles. —Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2024

The officers were directed to the location after a caller reported seeing an unresponsive man lying in the street, according to Bower. —Madeline Nguyen, The Arizona Republic, 27 Apr. 2024

Check the calendar for other major Philadelphia events Professional sports games aren’t the only events that may result in traffic, street closures, and higher hotel prices. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2024

This year’s Corporate Run, in its 39th year, put about 18,000 runners, walkers or wheelchair users from roughly 700 companies on the streets of downtown Miami. —Jose Iglesias, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2024

When his daughter is snatched off the street, simple tradesman Konggu (Xie) fights his way through a complex web of criminals in a frantic attempt to win her back by any means necessary. —Patrick Frater, Variety, 25 Apr. 2024

In a state like California, which has a massive population of chronically unhoused people, an 86% success rate suggests there would still be thousands of people living on the streets. —Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 16 Apr. 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

Cleveland police are cracking down on riders of dirt bikes, ATVs and other non-street-legal vehicles, but their new tactics have already been tested in other big U.S. cities. —Laura Johnston, cleveland, 31 May 2022

One such operation over the weekend resulted in the seizure of 15 non-street-legal vehicles and the issuance of 30-plus citations. —Courtney Astolfi, cleveland, 23 May 2022

Earlier this month, the Georgia Department of Public Safety coordinated with state and local law enforcement agencies for the 40th wave of its crime suppression and anti-street racing initiative. —John Spink, ajc, 24 Feb. 2022

The tree removal is part of a multi-street paving program planned by the city. —BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2021

The late King of Pop has enough tunes in his bag for anyone to serenade sweetly under the covers, but for Pink Sweat$, this song proves that the icon was able to keep it street while being sweet. —Kevin L. Clark, Essence, 28 May 2021

Among the possibilities, Schiemer said, don't expect any more Project One–style non-street-legal projects. —Jens Meiners, Car and Driver, 3 Apr. 2021

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 one's street
• down the street
• easy street
• high street
• hit the street
• in the street
• live on the street(s)
• man in the street
• man on the street
• off-street
• on easy street
• on the street
• side street
• street clothes
• street corner
• street cred
• street date
• street fighter
• street food
• street hockey
• street level
• street people
• street railway
• street-smart
• street smarts
• street talk
• street theater
• the man in the street
• through street
• two-way street
• up one's 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"