Definition

Noun: 1. The primary commercial street of a town or city: This is the most common meaning, referring to the central street, often called "Main Street," where many shops, banks, and businesses are located. 2. The ordinary people and businesses of a town, or their collective attitudes and interests: This figurative meaning represents the typical residents, small businesses, and the conventional, sometimes conservative, values of a community, often contrasted with the interests of big corporations or government elites.

Examples of Usage

• Literal meaning (primary street):
  • The new bakery is located on Main Street.
  • The parade will go straight down Main Street.
• Figurative meaning (ordinary people/businesses):
  • The new tax policy is designed to help Main Street, not Wall Street.
  • Politicians often claim to speak for the values of Main Street.

Advanced Usage

• "Main Street vs. Wall Street": A common contrast in U.S. discourse, symbolizing the conflict or difference in interests between the average American public/small businesses (Main Street) and the large financial institutions and corporate elite (Wall Street).
  • The economic debate often centers on what's best for Wall Street versus what's best for Main Street.

Variants and Related Words

• High Street: The British English equivalent for the primary shopping street in a town.
• Downtown: The central business district of a city, which often contains the main street.

Synonyms

• Primary thoroughfare
• Town center (for the literal meaning)
• The public
• The common man (for the figurative meaning)

Related Idioms

• "To be (straight) out of Main Street, USA": Used to describe something or someone as being typical of traditional, small-town American values and lifestyle.
  • With his friendly demeanor and strong community spirit, he seemed straight out of Main Street, USA.

Noun

1. any small town (or the people who inhabit it); generally used to represent parochialism and materialism (after a novel by Sinclair Lewis)
   • Main Street will never vote for a liberal politician
2. street that serves as a principal thoroughfare for traffic in a town