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

But that central gathering represented just one of the day’s events demonstrations with the Sacramento region, with hundreds showing up that morning and afternoon to march, chant and wave signs along busy thoroughfares in surrounding suburban cities. —Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026

The debris had fallen on Sweihan Street, a major thoroughfare on the city’s east side, according to the Abu Dhabi government’s media office. —Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026

Another concern of residents was the condition of the RM 2871 road, a major thoroughfare in the area near the development that residents believe could get clogged up by construction traffic. —Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026

The neighborhood/area Corso d’Italia is a busy thoroughfare, but the hotel overlooks Villa Borghese and is a few minutes' walk from the iconic Via Veneto. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 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