boulevard

American  

[bool-uh-vahrd, boo-luh-] / ˈbʊl əˌvɑrd, ˈbu lə- /

noun

1. a broad avenue in a city, usually having areas at the sides or center for trees, grass, or flowers.

2. Also called boulevard strip.  Upper Midwest. a strip of lawn between a sidewalk and the curb.

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boulevard British  

/ ˈbuːlvɑː, -vɑːd /

noun

1. 1. a wide usually tree-lined road in a city, often used as a promenade

   2. ( capital as part of a street name )

      Sunset Boulevard

2. 1. a grass strip between the pavement and road

   2. the strip of ground between the edge of a private property and the road

   3. the centre strip of a road dividing traffic travelling in different directions

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Related Words

See street.

Etymology

Origin of boulevard

First recorded in 1765–75; from French, Middle French (originally Picard, Walloon ): “rampart, avenue built on the site of a razed rampart,” from Middle Dutch bol(le)werc; bulwark

Example Sentences

The US president already has a boulevard leading to the airport named after him.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Nancy Guthrie’s home boulevard just north of Tucson, Arizona, makes for a unique crime scene.

From Slate • Feb. 23, 2026

The annual grand parade will take place along Delhi's iconic central boulevard, with military tanks rolling past and fighter jets roaring overhead as thousands watch.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026

In automatic mode, the car ambles down the boulevard, murmuring, simmering and keeping its immensity hidden from polite society.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

They walked through the zoo and down the boulevard, the three of them, Amanda and Mars Bar/ Snickers and Maniac, Amanda grumbling all the way: .

From "Maniac Magee" by Jerry Spinelli

Related Words

• artery
• avenue
• highway
• thoroughfare