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

Campbell Avenue is believed to be the only thoroughfare in the United States named after an enemy combatant. — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026

Samaro, 25, was killed during an Israeli military raid on May 3 on a busy shopping thoroughfare in Nablus. — Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 26 June 2026

From the dramatic California coast to the historic thoroughfares of New England, the United States is brimming with scenic drives. — Sarah Rose, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2026

Foot traffic has slowed to a trickle, and the restaurant’s layout — with an almost entirely open wall that looks onto one of Boyle Height’s busiest thoroughfares — isn’t helping. — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 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