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

He said he now takes main streets "even if it’s longer to get to my house just to make sure that I'm fine".

From BBC

Police are appealing to anyone who may have been in the bar or the main street at the time that the incident took place to contact them.

From BBC

The main street of Tarpon Springs in Florida was flooded.

From BBC

There is much eating and drinking in an outdoor banquet down the main street of Dongmen village.

From BBC

Whole buildings collapsed into rubble have opened up new, sloping and precarious routes between the camp's main streets.

From BBC