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

This new thoroughfare created an easy and direct route to reach the park by car that avoided steep mountain roads, according to park history. — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026

Authorities partially closed a major thoroughfare in Alexandria on Monday after a hazardous-materials incident left a white, powderlike substance scattered across the road, officials said. — Liam Bowman, Washington Post, 20 July 2026

Minus the dull thud of the boats gently colliding with the wooden posts they’re tied to, the normally busy thoroughfare is quiet. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 19 July 2026

With the area being a busy thoroughfare, resident input has indicated that the area is not suitable for walking, with many calling for more visually appealing corridors. — Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 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