street

street — noun

1. a road inside a town or city, lined with buildings such as homes, stores, or off

1.nounA1
Definition

a road inside a town or city, lined with buildings such as homes, stores, or offices on either side

Example

Asher walked down the street to buy bread at the corner shop.

collocation: down the street

The children played on the street in front of Jiwoo's house.

collocation: on the street

Common collocations
  • down the street
  • across the street
  • on the street
  • main street
  • side street
  • cross the street
Synonyms
  • road

    broader term; can be in the countryside or city

  • avenue

    a wide street, often tree-lined and grander

  • lane

    a narrow street, often between buildings or in the countryside

Usage Note

In US English, 'in the street' often means on the road surface (where vehicles drive), while 'on the street' refers to the general location including pavements and buildings.

Common Mistakes

I live in Baker Street.
I live on Baker Street.
In English, we say 'on' a street, not 'in' a street, for addresses.

2. used when large numbers of people go out into public roads to show strong opposi

2.nounB2
Definition

used when large numbers of people go out into public roads to show strong opposition to something, often in a forceful or angry way

Example

Thousands of protesters took to the streets after the new law was passed.

idiom: take to the streets

Angry crowds filled the streets near the government building.

collocation: fill the streets

Common collocations
  • take to the streets
  • fill the streets
  • in the streets
  • the streets
Synonyms
  • demonstrate

    more formal; covers peaceful and organised protest

  • march

    walking in an organised group as a form of protest

Grammar Patterns

take to the streets

Usage Note

Nearly always used in the plural 'the streets' as part of the fixed expression 'take to the streets'. The singular 'street' is not used in this sense.

Common Mistakes

He took to the street alone to complain.
Thousands took to the streets to protest.
This sense describes group action, not individual complaint.
Idioms

the man (and/or woman) in the street

idiom

This refers to a typical or ordinary person, not an expert or someone in power.

The man in the street rarely thinks about international trade policies.

Do politicians really care about the woman in the street?

on easy street

idiom

This means living in a comfortable situation with enough money to not worry.

After winning the lottery, they were on easy street.

Is your family on easy street since your father got promoted?

(out) on/onto the streets/street

idiom

This describes being without a home or shelter, living outside.

Many families were thrown onto the street after the earthquake.

She has been living on the streets since she lost her job.

on/walking the streets

idiom

This refers to working as a prostitute, offering sexual services for money in public places.

The documentary showed the dangers of walking the streets.

She was forced into walking the streets to survive.

streets ahead (of somebody/something)

idiom

This means being much better or more advanced than another person or thing.

This new smartphone is streets ahead of its competitors.

Maya is streets ahead of her classmates in mathematics.

the streets are paved with gold

idiom

This is used to describe a place where it is believed that making money is very easy.

Many immigrants thought the streets were paved with gold in America.

He soon realized that the streets are not paved with gold in the big city.

(right) up your street

idiom

This means something is very suitable for you because you know a lot about it or enjoy it.

This programming project is right up your street.

Is hiking in the mountains up your street?

street — adjective

Word family

  • streetwise
    adjectiveB2
  • streetlight
    nounA2
  • streetlamp
    nounB1
  • streetcar
    nounB1
  • street-smart
    adjectiveB2
  • streetwalker
    nounC1
  • streetscape
    nounC1
  • streetwear
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

In the sense of a public way in a built-up area, 'road' is the broadest term — it can be any route (rural or urban) that connects places. 'Street' is more specific: it implies buildings on one or both sides, typically in a town or city. 'Avenue' suggests a wide, often tree-lined street that is usually more impressive. 'Lane' is a narrow route, which may be rural or between buildings in a city. 'Boulevard' is a wide, multi-lane urban road with a median strip and often trees or gardens. For everyday addresses, 'street' and 'road' are the most common: 'I live on Elm Street' is typical in US English; 'I live on Elm Road' is more common in the UK, though both are understood everywhere.

road ↗street ↗avenue ↗lane ↗boulevard ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • street corner
  • street level
  • street address
  • street sign
  • street name
  • street party
  • street light

Phrases

  • end of the street
  • other side of the street
  • down the street
  • up the street

Prepositions

  • on the street
  • in the street
  • across the street
  • down the street
  • along the street

Etymology

LatinWest GermanicOld EnglishEnglish

The word 'street' comes from Old English 'strǣt', which was borrowed from West Germanic, ultimately tracing back to Latin 'strāta via', meaning 'paved road'. 'Strāta' is the feminine past participle of 'sternere' (to spread or lay down), referring to a road whose surface had been laid with stone. The Germanic tribes adopted the word during their contact with Roman roads in Europe, and it passed into Old English before evolving into the modern form.