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

During the protests, also known as Occupy Central, demonstrators occupied major thoroughfares for 79 days in an ultimately unsuccessful push for direct election for the city’s leader. — ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026

The city’s main thoroughfare, Fondok Al Nile Helton, leads straight to the Karnak Temple Complex. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026

Spend some time exploring Broadway, the city’s main downtown thoroughfare, lined with independent shops, cafés, restaurants, and historic buildings. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 1 Nov. 2026

Major traffic disruptions are anticipated along key thoroughfares, including Northwest 87th Avenue and Northwest 36th Street. — Manuel Bojorquez, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 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