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

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

Routinely vacuuming and doing quick sweeps with your wet mop can help tide you over until the kids are back in school or your house becomes a little less of a thoroughfare. — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 21 June 2026

The Jackson Park museum opened to the public Friday, capping off more than a decade of anticipation and controversy, as the campus, which includes a forum building, parkland and a Chicago Public Library branch, reworked one of the city’s most historic parks and a major thoroughfare. — Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026

Encore Store In colorful and vibrant North Hobart, Encore Store offers an eclectic selection of new and old on Elizabeth Street, the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare. — Riley Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 19 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