boulevard

[bool-uh-vahrd, boo-luh-]

noun

1. a broad avenue in a city, usually having areas at the sides or center for trees, grass, or flowers.

2. Also called boulevard strip. Upper Midwest.,  a strip of lawn between a sidewalk and the curb.

boulevard

/ ˈbuːlvɑː, -vɑːd /

noun

1. 1. a wide usually tree-lined road in a city, often used as a promenade

   2. ( capital as part of a street name )

      Sunset Boulevard

2. 1. a grass strip between the pavement and road

   2. the strip of ground between the edge of a private property and the road

   3. the centre strip of a road dividing traffic travelling in different directions

Word History and Origins

Origin of boulevard¹

First recorded in 1765–75; from French, Middle French (originally Picard, Walloon ): “rampart, avenue built on the site of a razed rampart,” from Middle Dutch bol(le)werc; bulwark

Word History and Origins

Origin of boulevard¹

C18: from French, from Middle Dutch bolwerc _bulwark ; so called because originally often built on the ruins of an old rampart

Synonym Study

See street.

Example Sentences

While Pildas was capturing the seven architects 45 years ago, he was also busy chronicling the city’s street culture — jazz clubs, boulevard eccentrics, decaying movie palaces and bohemian artists.

From Los Angeles Times

L.A.’s wide boulevards and streets are being reimagined for a new mix of mobility modes: e-bikes, delivery bots, shared shuttles, autonomous vehicles.

From Los Angeles Times

A call for proposals to develop a surplus Metro property on the corner of Wilshire and Crenshaw boulevards drew bids from seven heavyweights in the world of homeless housing.

From Los Angeles Times

Up until that point, the heaviest security presence seen by BBC Sport was at the opening game in Miami, where police cars with flashing lights lined the main boulevards leading up to the stadium.

From BBC

Guests arriving to the park by car will drive through a tree-lined boulevard, while those using public transport will access the resort via a transport hub.

From BBC

Related Words

• artery 
• avenue 
• highway 
• thoroughfare