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

• highway
• road
• street
• freeway
• route
• boulevard
• expressway
• roadway
• carriageway [British]
• artery
• arterial
• turnpike

Examples of thoroughfare in a Sentence

one of the city's main thoroughfares

Recent Examples on the Web

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, 12 July 2025

Muddy Waters mural Stroll down the prominent downtown shopping thoroughfare of State Street near West Calhoun Place and glance up to see the godfather of Chicago blues, Muddy Waters, looking at the city. —AFAR Media, 10 July 2025

The renovation also includes conspicuous cameras along the walkway and the removal of all parking options along the thoroughfare. —David J. Bohnet, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 July 2025

Back in Boone, the 1850 Hotel is a 20-suite hotel smack in the heart of town on King Street, Boone’s main thoroughfare. —Charlotte Observer, 10 July 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