# Broadway

/ˈbɹɔdˌweɪ/ (US) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/broadway
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a famous street in New York City known for its many large theaters. People use the name to talk about professional plays and musicals performed there.

For teachers: a major thoroughfare in New York City, synonymous with the professional American theater industry. Often used metonymically to refer to the high-budget theatrical productions staged in the district.

## Examples

- We are going to see a musical on Broadway tonight.
- Many aspiring actors move to New York with the dream of landing a leading role on Broadway.
- The transition from regional theater to Broadway represents a significant leap in both production scale and commercial pressure, as the high cost of real estate demands consistent ticket sales.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I saw a play in the Broadway" but "I saw a play on Broadway" — Broadway is a proper noun used as a location; it does not take a definite article and usually takes the preposition 'on'.

## Usage notes

- When referring to the theater industry, it is used without an article ('on Broadway').

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.