avenue

noun

av·​e·​nue ˈa-və-ˌnü 

-ˌnyü

1

: a way of access : route

2

: a channel for pursuing a desired object

avenues of communication

3

a

chiefly British : the principal walk or driveway to a house situated off a main road

b

: a broad passageway bordered by trees

4

: an often broad street or road

Synonyms

• arterial
• artery
• boulevard
• carriageway [British]
• drag
• drive
• expressway
• freeway
• high road
• highway
• pass
• pike
• road
• roadway
• route
• row
• street
• thoroughfare
• thruway
• trace
• turnpike
• way

Examples of avenue in a Sentence

We drove down the avenue.

We plan to pursue all available avenues to get our message to the public.

They have closed off that avenue of discussion.

a new avenue of research

Recent Examples on the Web

Copper Backsplashes Are Trending: What to Know About the Metallic Kitchen Accent Statement Colors Statement colors are expected to make a bold splash in 2025, providing another avenue for self-expression in the kitchen. —Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2025

Residents also use the avenue to skip traffic on the parallel Marginal Tietê during the morning rush hour, when the crash likely occurred. Footage from the aftermath on Friday showed black clouds of smoke and bright orange flames unfurling over the highway. —Ana Melgar, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025

Lyons recognizes the hurdles but believes Cal’s highest-profile programs are currently, or soon will be, funded at levels that provide an avenue for success. —Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025

And then, the discovery of the 46 chromosomes came along and opened these new avenues of research. —Lorena Galliot, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from feminine of avenu, past participle of avenir to come to, from Latin advenire — more at adventure

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

avenue

noun

av·​e·​nue ˈav-ə-ˌn(y)ü 

1

: a way or route to a place or goal : path

2

: a usually wide street