main street

¹ 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 ² American  

noun

1. a novel (1920) by Sinclair Lewis.

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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

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

Sharjah's main street was completely flooded early on Friday, with residents seen wading through it in bare feet.

From Barron's

On this rainy, late-summer afternoon, Thomas and I are chatting about the Mayer Theatre, an Art Deco throwback a few blocks and a sturdy one-way bridge away on Hebron’s main street.

From Salon

We spent around 90 minutes on the main street talking to passers-by.

From BBC