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 of thoroughfare

• highway
• road
• street
• freeway
• route
• boulevard
• expressway
• roadway
• carriageway
• artery
• arterial
• turnpike

Examples of thoroughfare in a Sentence

one of the city's main thoroughfares

Recent Examples on the Web

Where To See Manhattanhenge The best views are from Manhattan’s broad east-west thoroughfares with unobstructed views toward New Jersey across the Hudson River. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

The viral Sopranos meme imagines Italian fans leaving behind the Amalfi Coast for six-lane thoroughfares with no sidewalks. —Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 25 May 2026

The new design calls for the hotel to sit along Warm Springs Avenue, which Hillgren said has proven to be a busier thoroughfare than Parkcenter Boulevard two blocks north. —Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 20 May 2026

The town's main thoroughfare, Anderson Avenue, is home to a buzzing variety of bars, restaurants, and shops. —Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2026

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