main street

¹

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.

Main Street

²

noun

1. a novel (1920) by Sinclair Lewis.

Main Street

noun

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

2. ordinary people in general

Word History and Origins

Origin of main street¹

First recorded in 1735–45

Example Sentences

There’s a bustling main street and a beach with swimmers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She told the BBC: "I was standing in what used to be main street yesterday and I was knee-deep in mud where the road should have been."

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Following clues picked up from Instagram, I climbed some hills above the town’s main street and wandered through a quiet residential neighborhood, looking for his bar.

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Lucia screams and runs back toward the main street -- named the Avenue of the Dead, where her father David hugs her.

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You can rent a bike to explore the bike lanes around town and along the beach or take a short walk to the many restaurants, bars and coffee shops along main street.

Read more on Los Angeles Times