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

The Active Transportation Commission will provide feedback on four ongoing projects related to Fruitridge Road, one of Sacramento’s most dangerous thoroughfares; Arden Way and Auburn Boulevard; Stockton Boulevard, including bus routes along the roadway; and bike lanes on T Street. —Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026

Everyone gathers on Franklin Street, the town’s historic thoroughfare that’s full of restaurants, bars, museums, galleries, shops, and more. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026

Old Pro's Table closed after more than 35 years on Broad Ripple's main thoroughfare. —Evan Frank, IndyStar, 12 Mar. 2026

Downtown, museums like The Broad sit near lively outdoor plazas, while main thoroughfares like Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice and Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles proper invite visitors to wander between boutiques, cafes, and galleries under the sun. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 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