the principal thoroughfare, especially through the business district, in a small town.
(initial capital letters) the outlook, environment, or life of a small town.
the most prominent street of a town, usually where the principal shops and businesses are situated
ordinary people in general
First recorded in 1735–45
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Its main street is lined with brick buildings, some more than 100 years old.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026
There is a bustle about the main street and sitting with a coffee by the banks of the River Fleet feels like a good place to leave your worries behind you.
From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026
At their home, a large one-story villa off a dirt road leading to the town’s main street, Scott introduces me to a lifestyle designed to promote wellness.
From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026
The mural would be Bolding’s first public piece of art on a main street.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026
About halfway through town, Grandpa made a right turn off the main street.
From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
