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

Everything goes on as usual along a busy boulevard in eastern Caracas.

From BBC

Currently, traffic from Lincoln and Sepulveda boulevards squeezes eight lanes of cars into a single ramp, creating a persistent choke point.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From The Wall Street Journal

Where: The corner of Abbot Kinney and Venice boulevards Event Notes: Attendees are encouraged to bring water, signs and comfortable shoes.

From Los Angeles Times

Freddie was 28 at the time, and according to a story in The Times, “scores of black-owned businesses ran along the boulevard.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• artery
• avenue
• highway
• thoroughfare