high street

plural high streets · alternative highstreet · alternative High Street

1. IrelandUKparts of New EnglandThe main street of any town.

   Near-synonym: high road (precisely coordinate)

   Synonyms: main street, Main Street, high road

2. IrelandUKMainstream shops, banks, etc. that can be found on such a street, in contrast to more specialist shops and services.

   Woolworths has had a presence on the UK High Street for almost a century.

   2008 December 27, “Woolworths store closures begin”, in BBC

   1 more example

   The spending in and around local stations is creating micro-economies that are benefiting Great Britain's high streets, independent businesses and economic growth, both locally and on a national level.

   2025 October 1, Richard Evans, “The value of the railway effect”, in RAIL, number 1045, page 58

3. IrelandUKPhysical, bricks and mortar shops, in contrast to Internet shops.

   Synonyms: bricks and mortar

1. UKThe proper name of the high street in any of many villages, towns, or cities, especially in the United Kingdom and certain Commonwealth countries.

   Near-synonym: Main Street (esp. US and Canada)

   Synonyms: Main Street

2. UKThe life and activities that archetypally happen on such a street: brick-and-mortar retail; the daily life of most people (everyone who is not among an out-of-touch rich elite).

   Near-synonym: Main Street (US and Canada)

   1 more example

   This is a result of a switch from High Street to online retailing, requiring consumer goods to be delivered to the door from large-scale distribution parks that have sufficient traffic to justify a rail terminal.

   2024 January 10, 'Industry Insider', “Success built on liberalisation and market freedom”, in RAIL, number 1000, page 69

   Synonyms: Main Street

3. A hamlet in St Stephen-in-Brannel parish, Cornwall, England (OS grid ref SW9653).
4. A hamlet in Hawkhurst parish, Tunbridge Wells borough, Kent, England, on a road of the same name (OS grid ref TQ7430).
5. A hamlet in Darsham parish, East Suffolk district, Suffolk, England (OS grid ref TM4170).