Synonyms

main street

¹ American

noun

the principal thoroughfare, especially through the business district, in a small town.
(initial capital letters) the outlook, environment, or life of a small town.

Main Street ² American

noun

a novel (1920) by Sinclair Lewis.

Main Street British

noun

the most prominent street of a town, usually where the principal shops and businesses are situated
ordinary people in general

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of main street

First recorded in 1735–45

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.

Locals, some with dogs in tow, marched down Telluride’s main street chanting, “End it now!”

From The Wall Street Journal

Just before we entered the main street, off to my right, I saw several large buildings.

From Literature

“We buy gold” signs line the town’s main street.

From The Wall Street Journal

Consisting of a couple of weatherboard buildings, a general store, a caravan park and a petrol station grouped around a modest main street, Licola is one of Australia's smallest towns.

From BBC

“Come on. I’m pretty sure the main streets are this way.”

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023