thoroughfare
Americannoun
-
a road, street, or the like, that leads at each end into another street.
-
a major road or highway.
-
a passage or way through.
no thoroughfare.
-
a strait, river, or the like, affording passage.
noun
-
a road from one place to another, esp a main road
-
way through or access
no thoroughfare
Etymology
Origin of thoroughfare
First recorded in 1350–1400, thoroughfare is from the Middle English word thurghfare. See thorough, fare
Explanation
A thoroughfare is a public road that can get you from one place to another. When it snows, plows try to remove the snow from the thoroughfares so the school buses can take everyone to school. You’re welcome. This somewhat old-fashioned word has a very common meaning — a public road that goes from point A to point B. The word is made up of thorough, Old English for basically, “through” and fare for “journey.” (Fare also now means a payment, but not in thoroughfare.) If a road is private, like a driveway, it’s not a thoroughfare. This word often appears in the phrase "no thoroughfare," which means there isn't a public route available.
Vocabulary lists containing thoroughfare
Fahrenheit 451
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Call of the Wild
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The emerald green bridge is a major thoroughfare connecting the city of San Pedro to Terminal Island, home to both the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
"This is a momentous day for Oxford Street, but also for London," Mayor Sadiq Khan told reporters on the thoroughfare, one of the busiest shopping zones in Europe.
From Barron's ● Oct. 26, 2026
Government cars were parked on the former thoroughfare of Pennsylvania Avenue.
From Salon ● Sep. 11, 2026
Edinburgh council leader Jane Meagher said she was delighted the thoroughfare was reopening but acknowledged it had been a difficult chapter for the city.
From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026
Along the main thoroughfare, the houses were built right at the edge of the road, as if huddling for warmth during the cold Polish winters, and hoping for company in summer.
From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
