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

Some of these thoroughfares are decidedly more visit-worthy than others, and USA Today recently deemed one main street the best in the county. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2026

Her house sits on Palmer Road, a busy thoroughfare. —Brent Lang, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026

With its polished English oak paneling and ornate Louis XIV-style wrought-iron balustrades presided over by a torch-wielding bronze cherub, the opulent atrium is remembered by historians as both the main thoroughfare and architectural crown jewel of the legendary liner. —Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026

For over two decades, Spurs fans have converged on city streets to drive up and down a few of its larger thoroughfares, honking and cheering for their team immediately after a playoff win. —Melissa Renteria, San Antonio Express-News, 19 Apr. 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