avenue

American  

[av-uh-nyoo, -noo] / ˈæv əˌnyu, -ˌnu /

noun

1. a wide street or main thoroughfare.

2. a means of access or attainment.

   avenues of escape; avenues to greater power.

3. a way or means of entering into or approaching a place.

   the various avenues to India.

4. Chiefly British.

   1. a wide, usually tree-lined road, path, driveway, etc., through grounds to a country house or monumental building.

   2. a suburban, usually tree-lined residential street.

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avenue British  

/ ˈævɪˌnjuː /

noun

1. 1. a broad street, often lined with trees

   2. (capital as part of a street name) a road, esp in a built-up area

      Shaftesbury Avenue

2. a main approach road, as to a country house

3. a way bordered by two rows of trees

   an avenue of oaks

4. a line of approach

   explore every avenue

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Related Words

See street.

Etymology

Origin of avenue

First recorded in 1590–1600; from French, literally, “approach,” noun use of feminine past participle of avenir, from Latin advenīre “to come to.” See a- ⁵, venue

Explanation

An avenue is a street, especially a wide one lined with trees. An avenue is also any approach to doing something. For example, this web site might be a new avenue you have found for learning words. The word avenue comes from the French avenir, meaning "to come to, or arrive." The first meaning is simply a wide street. An avenue — or boulevard — is likely to be busy, unlike a quiet side street. The abbreviation is ave., as in Park Ave. Also, an avenue is a way to accomplish something. If you need money but can't get a loan, you'll have to find another avenue.

Example Sentences

Ads could be a lucrative monetization avenue for OpenAI.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

The talks come a day after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK was "exploring each and every diplomatic avenue that is available" to reopen the route.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

On a recent Monday afternoon in a small Mexican diner, not far from the 710 Freeway in East Los Angeles, Gricel Gonzalez, 57, gazed out the window at the avenue.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

“Even when the Supreme Court strikes down an unlawful tariff, the truly injured parties possess no direct avenue for redress,” the suit read, in part.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

The city lay below, cut by the avenue of light—moonlight now—that slipped between the great seraph’s wings.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

Related Words

• boulevard
• channel
• entrance
• outlet
• pathway
• promenade
• road
• route
• thoroughfare