thoroughfare
- 01 C1 Advanced
a main road or street that connects two places and is open for everyone to use.
a public road or highway that is open at both ends, typically serving as a primary artery for transit between locations.
Simple“The city's main thoroughfare was crowded with shoppers and cars all afternoon.”
In context“The urban planners decided to pedestrianize the historic thoroughfare, redirecting heavy commercial traffic to the newly constructed ring road.”
UsageOften used in urban planning or formal descriptions of city geography.
- 02 C1 Advanced
a path or passage that lets you go through an area rather than stopping there.
a passage or way through from one place to another; the right or ability to pass through a space.
Simple“This narrow alley is the only thoroughfare between the two busy squares.”
In context“The property owner argued that the path had never been a public thoroughfare, despite decades of local residents using it as a shortcut.”
UsageCan be used both for physical paths and the legal right of passage.
Antonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
a wide channel of water that ships use to travel through.
an unobstructed waterway, such as a channel or strait, that allows for the passage of maritime vessels.
Simple“The strait serves as a vital thoroughfare for international shipping containers.”
In context“Environmental regulations were tightened to protect the marine life inhabiting the busy thoroughfare leading into the industrial port.”
UsagePrimarily used in maritime or geographical contexts.
“The statue had been broken into two main pieces and reused, face down, as paving stones in the ancient thoroughfare.”
“On Wednesday, just hours before the eclipse, officials reported traffic jams on the major thoroughfares out of Madrid and Barcelona.”
From Middle English thurghfare, corresponding to thorough- (“through”) + fare. Compare Old English þurhfaran (“to go through, go over, traverse, pierce, pass through, pass beyond, transcend, penetrate”). Compare also Old English þurhfær (“inner secret place”), German Durchfahrt (“passage through, thoroughfare”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.