avenue

[av-uh-nyoo, -noo]

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.

avenue

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of avenue¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of avenue¹

C17: from French, from avenir to come to, from Latin advenīre, from venīre to come

Synonym Study

See street.

Example Sentences

“Serious legal and factual issues remain, and we will continue to pursue every avenue available to ensure that justice is done.”

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“The M&A market is going to be another avenue for some of these companies to acquire more bitcoin.”

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On the busy avenues populated not by residents but by construction workers and carpenters laying the groundwork for a new Palisades.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Investigators say all avenues are being explored, but they are not ruling out a family connection.

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But by formally gaining a mandate for strike action it opens up a new avenue for industrial action.

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Related Words

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