street

1 of 2

noun

plural streets
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 underprivileged neighborhood, section, etc. (as of a city) in which residents experience many difficulties and dangers
often used in the plural
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 entrance
an apartment at street level
a lack of street parking [=places to park along a street]
b
: carried on or taking place in the street
street fighting
a street party
see also street fighter, street hockey
c
: living or working on the streets
a street artist/vendor
street people [=people who are unhoused]
d
: located in, used for, or serving as a guide to the streets
street art
a street market
street signs
a street map
a street corner [=the area of a sidewalk where two streets meet]
see also street food, streetlight
e
: performing in or heard on the street
a street band
see also street theater
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 (see street entry 1 sense 5)
street drugs
street talk
see also street cred, street-smart, street smarts, streetwise
2
: retail
the street price
see also street date
Phrases
on the street or in the street
1
: idle, unhoused, 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

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
Possible improvements include infrastructure changes like sidewalks and street alterations, as well as utilities like sewer, water and gas lines. Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 29 Oct. 2024 On the street, the CycUltra behaves as expected, the fat tires rolling easily over pavement cracks, small bits of debris in Portland’s bike lanes and the full suspension allowing for soft landings off curbs and other low-altitude challenges. William Roberson, Forbes, 28 Oct. 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 See all Example Sentences for street 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'street.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of street was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near street

Cite this Entry

“Street.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/street. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

street

1 of 2 noun
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"

More from Merriam-Webster on street

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