thoroughfare

American  

[thur-oh-fair, -uh-fair, thuhr-] / ˈθɜr oʊˌfɛər, -əˌfɛər, ˈθʌr- /

noun

1. a road, street, or the like, that leads at each end into another street.

2. a major road or highway.

3. a passage or way through.

   no thoroughfare.

4. a strait, river, or the like, affording passage.

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thoroughfare British  

/ ˈθʌrəˌfɛə /

noun

1. a road from one place to another, esp a main road

2. way through or access

   no thoroughfare

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Etymology

Origin of thoroughfare

First recorded in 1350–1400, thoroughfare is from the Middle English word thurghfare. See thorough, fare

Example Sentences

Analysts say Iran could close the world’s busiest oil thoroughfare, the Strait of Hormuz, which sees roughly 20 million barrels of petroleum running through it daily, equivalent to almost a fifth of global oil demand.

From The Wall Street Journal

More than any other Southeast Asian nation, the Philippines has openly challenged China’s claims to much of the South China Sea, a strategic thoroughfare for about a third of global maritime trade.

From The Wall Street Journal

For the purposes of “Crime 101,” that thoroughfare is reimagined as a quick escape route rather than the choked pipeline of sludge more familiar from reality.

From The Wall Street Journal

That is because of activity below and above the water, including increased traffic of naval, commercial and scientific vessels from Russia, China and other countries as climate change opens new thoroughfares.

From The Wall Street Journal

Bass also announced a new clean streets initiative dubbed Clean Corridors, which she said would “accelerate beautification” of major thoroughfares throughout the city in advance of the Olympics.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• artery
• avenue
• boulevard
• causeway
• expressway
• freeway
• highway
• lane
• street
• waterway