avenue

[av-uh-nyoo, -noo]

noun

1. a wide street or main thoroughfare.

2. a means of access or attainment.

   avenues of escape; avenues to greater power.

3. a way or means of entering into or approaching a place.

   the various avenues to India.

4. Chiefly British.

   1. a wide, usually tree-lined road, path, driveway, etc., through grounds to a country house or monumental building.

   2. a suburban, usually tree-lined residential street.

avenue

/ ˈævɪˌnjuː /

noun

1. 1. a broad street, often lined with trees

   2. (capital as part of a street name) a road, esp in a built-up area

      Shaftesbury Avenue

2. a main approach road, as to a country house

3. a way bordered by two rows of trees

   an avenue of oaks

4. a line of approach

   explore every avenue

Word History and Origins

Origin of avenue¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from French, literally, “approach,” noun use of feminine past participle of avenir, from Latin advenīre “to come to.” See a- ⁵, venue

Word History and Origins

Origin of avenue¹

C17: from French, from avenir to come to, from Latin advenīre, from venīre to come

Synonym Study

See street.

Example Sentences

Another avenue being explored is growing brand new organs using our own human cells.

From BBC

“Patton is diligently pursuing every avenue possible to find a solution, but still needs more time,” the company wrote in its application.

From Salon

As the cannon fire echoed through Tiananmen Square, even before the first set of troops goose-stepped their way through Beijing's central avenue, the day's most enduring image unfolded.

From BBC

He explains that he sees them as frustrated people "looking for an avenue for their vote because they see the mainstream parties as having let them down".

From BBC

Two employees at Yosemite National Park described rock-bottom morale amid recent turmoil — and a sense that the union could provide an avenue for change.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• boulevard 
• channel 
• entrance 
• outlet 
• pathway 
• promenade 
• road 
• route 
• thoroughfare