Main Street

¹ American  

noun

1. a novel (1920) by Sinclair Lewis.

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main street ² American  

noun

1. the principal thoroughfare, especially through the business district, in a small town.

2. (initial capital letters) the outlook, environment, or life of a small town.

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Main Street British  

noun

1. the most prominent street of a town, usually where the principal shops and businesses are situated

2. ordinary people in general

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Etymology

Origin of main street

First recorded in 1735–45

Example Sentences

“Come on. I’m pretty sure the main streets are this way.”

From Literature

Black cars filled with political leaders and CEOs who didn’t want to hoof it on foot clogged up the town’s two-lane main streets, where the typical year-round population is around 11,000.

From The Wall Street Journal

Wilson's Lane, also known locally as Babe's Entry, has historically been a public right of way and is regularly used by shoppers to walk between two of Dungannon's main streets.

From BBC

Founded in 1901, it is Philadelphia's annual New Year's Day celebration that sees 10,000 adults and children dressed in colourful costumes parade down one of the city's main streets.

From BBC

Split between Virginia and Tennessee, the state line runs literally down main street.

From BBC