street

[ street ]

noun

1. a public thoroughfare, usually paved, in a village, town, or city, including the sidewalk or sidewalks.

   Synonyms: concourse, roadway

2. such a thoroughfare together with adjacent buildings, lots, etc.:

   Houses, lawns, and trees composed a very pleasant street.

3. the roadway of such a thoroughfare, as distinguished from the sidewalk:

   to cross a street.

4. a main way or thoroughfare, as distinguished from a lane, alley, or the like.
5. the inhabitants or frequenters of a street:

   The whole street gossiped about the new neighbors.

6. the Street, Informal.
   1. the section of a city associated with a given profession or trade, especially when concerned with business or finance, as Wall Street.
   2. the principal theater and entertainment district of any of a number of U.S. cities.

adjective

1. of, on, or adjoining a street:

   a street door just off the sidewalk.

2. taking place or appearing on the street:

   street fight; street musicians.

3. coarse; crude; vulgar:

   street language.

4. suitable for everyday wear:

   street clothes; street dress.

5. retail:

   the street price of a new computer; the street value of a drug.

street

/ striːt /

noun

1. 1. capital when part of a name a public road that is usually lined with buildings, esp in a town

      Oxford Street

   2. ( as modifier )

      a street directory

2. the buildings lining a street
3. the part of the road between the pavements, used by vehicles
4. the people living, working, etc, in a particular street
5. modifier of or relating to the urban counterculture

   street drug

   street style

6. man in the street
   an ordinary or average citizen
7. on the streets
   1. earning a living as a prostitute
   2. homeless
8. streets ahead of informal.
   superior to, more advanced than, etc
9. streets apart informal.
   markedly different
10. up one's street or right up one's street informal.
    (just) what one knows or likes best

verb

1. to outdistance

Other Words From

• streetless adjective
• streetlike adjective
• inter·street adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of street¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English strēt, strǣt; cognate with Dutch straat, German Strasse; all ultimately from Latin (via) strāta “paved (road)”; stratum

Word History and Origins

Origin of street¹

Old English strǣt, from Latin via strāta paved way ( strāta, from strātus, past participle of sternere to stretch out); compare Old Frisian strēte, Old High German strāza; see stratus

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on / in the street,
   1. without a home:

      You'll be out on the street if the rent isn't paid.

   2. without a job or occupation; idle.
   3. out of prison or police custody; at liberty.
2. up one's street, British. alley ¹( def 7 ).

More idioms and phrases containing street

see back street ; easy street ; man in the street ; on the street ; side street ; work both sides of the street .

Synonym Study

Street, alley, avenue, boulevard all refer to public ways or roads in municipal areas. A street is a road in a village, town, or city, especially a road lined with buildings. An alley is a narrow street or footway, especially at the rear of or between rows of buildings or lots. An avenue is properly a prominent street, often one bordered by fine residences and impressive buildings, or with a row of trees on each side. A boulevard is a beautiful, broad street, lined with rows of stately trees, especially used as a promenade. In some cities street and avenue are used interchangeably, the only difference being that those running one direction (say, north and south) are given one designation and those crossing them are given the other.

Example Sentences

Anti-Georgescu protesters have already taken to the streets in Bucharest and several provincial cities, while Georgescu has appealed to his supporters to "stay home with friends and family" and not respond to provocations.

From BBC

It was the 1970s and the Troubles were raging on the streets outside the school, but the danger, he said, lay inside.

From BBC

The strong support sent a clear message that voters want safer streets and climate-friendly transportation choices.

From Los Angeles Times

Then, as the net closed in, he spent a third night wandering the streets of west London.

From BBC

Watching the band in the Plaza Hotel and fans in the streets, hoping to catch a glimpse of their idols, you can’t help but get swept up in a 60-year-old fervor.

From New York Times

Related Words

• avenue
• boulevard
• court
• highway
• lane
• pavement
• place
• road
• roadway
• route
• thoroughfare
• track
• trail