Navigator Series: How are streets, roads, and avenues different?
So why is it so difficult to understand these basic terms we use on a daily basis. Well… it turns out there is a lot of grammical mistakes being made across Britain. A famous example would be, Downing Street; the London housing of the Prime Minister’s official residence, at number ten. It’s technically not a street as it is both private and closed at one end, making it effectively a ‘Close’.
Here is a quick dictionary of all types, to help you out.
Sources: Vox.com, Wikipedia and #FactSite
Follow the link to see the Vox video breakdown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqmso0c9CBs&t=97s
Road (Rd.)
The most general category, this is a way that connects two points.
a long, narrow stretch with a smoothed or paved surface, made for traveling by motor vehicle, carriage, etc., between two or more points; street or highway.
Definition by Dictionary.com
Street (St.)
A public way with buildings on both sides. Often, it runs perpendicular to an avenue.
a public thoroughfare, usually paved, in a village, town, or city, including the sidewalk or sidewalks.
such a thoroughfare together with adjacent buildings, lots, etc.:Houses, lawns, and trees composed a very pleasant street.
the roadway of such a thoroughfare, as distinguished from the sidewalk:to cross a street.
a main way or thoroughfare, as distinguished from a lane, alley, or the like.
Definition by Dictionary.com
Avenue (Ave.)
A public way often in a city, usually with trees or buildings on the side. Frequently, it runs perpendicular to a street.
a wide street or main thoroughfare.
Chiefly British.
- a wide, usually tree-lined road, path, driveway, etc., through grounds to a country house or monumental building.
- a suburban, usually tree-lined residential street.
Definition by Dictionary.com
Boulevard (Blvd.)
A large, wide street with trees on both sides. Often, there’s a median with trees.
a broad avenue in a city, usually having areas at the sides or center for trees, grass, or flowers.
Also called boulevard strip .Upper Midwest. a strip of lawn between a sidewalk and the curb.
Definition by Dictionary.com
Lane (Ln.)
A narrow road, often in a rural area.
a narrow way or passage between hedges, fences, walls, or houses.
any narrow or well-defined passage, track, channel, or course.
Definition by Dictionary.com
Drive (Dr.)
Often taking its contours from the natural environment (like a mountain or lake), it can be a long, winding road.
a road for vehicles, especially a scenic one, as in or along a park, or a short one, as an approach to a house.
Definition by Dictionary.com
Way (Way.)
A small street off a road.
a path or course leading from one place to another
a road, route, passage, or channel (usually used in combination)
Definition by Dictionary.com
Court (Ct.)
Ends in a circle or loop and doesn’t provide a throughway.
a short street.
Definition by Dictionary.com
Plaza (Plz.)
Also called a square, an open public space surrounded by buildings or streets.
a public square or open space in a city or town.
Definition by Dictionary.com
Terrace (Ter.)
Usually used to describe a street following the top of a slope.
a nearly level strip of land with a more or less abrupt descent along the margin of the sea, a lake, or a river.
Definition by Dictionary.com
Place (Pl.)
A road or street usually has no throughway.
a particular portion of space, whether of definite or indefinite extent.
a portion of space used for habitation, as a city, town, or village.
Definition by Dictionary.com
Parkway (Pkwy.)
A large, decorated public road (named a parkway for the parkland that often appears on the side of the road).
a broad thoroughfare with a dividing strip or side strips planted with grass, trees, etc.
Definition by Dictionary.com
Crescent (Cres.)
A winding road that resembles a crescent, which may attach to a road at both ends.
a curved street, often having solid façades of unified architectural design.
the curve or curved portion of a street.
Definition by Dictionary.com
Alley (Aly.)
A small pathway between buildings, which may or may not be drivable.
a passage, as through a continuous row of houses, permitting access from the street to backyards, garages, etc.
a narrow back street.
Definition by Dictionary.com
