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

Dior has opened its first boutique in Sweden on Stockholm’s Birger Jarlsgatan Avenue, the city’s top shopping thoroughfare, with brands including Chanel, Bottega Veneta, Moncler and a host of local high-end stores. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025

It is situated at the intersection of two long thoroughfares — one that runs north to south and a second that runs east to west — which might have been used as processional routes. —Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025

The project area is about a quarter-mile from where Highway 50 carves northeast through Rancho Cordova, and from the intersection of Folsom and Sunrise boulevards, two of the city’s major thoroughfares. —Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025

Macy’s chose China Grove for the facility due to its position in the Southeast near major thoroughfares, enabling faster, more efficient service to millions of customers. —Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 20 Oct. 2025

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