Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A street in lower Manhattan where the New York Stock Exchange is located; the symbol of American finance: "Wall St." is the common abbreviation for Wall Street, which is both a physical location and a metonym for the financial markets, institutions, and industry of the United States.

Usage

• "Wall St." is used as a singular proper noun to refer to the collective financial sector, its activities, or its prevailing sentiment. It is often contrasted with "Main Street," which represents the general economy of small businesses and the public.
• It is commonly abbreviated as "Wall St." in journalism and informal writing, with the full form being "Wall Street."

Examples

• As a location:
  • The New York Stock Exchange is located on Wall St.
• As a symbol of finance:
  • Wall St. reacted positively to the earnings report.
  • There is often a disconnect between Wall St. and Main Street.

Advanced Usage

• "Wall St. Journal": The name of a major American business-focused newspaper.
  • I read the article in the Wall St. Journal.
• "Wall St. banker/broker": A person who works in the high-finance sector.
  • He moved to New York to become a Wall St. banker.

Variants and Related Words

• Wall Street (n): The full, unabbreviated name.
• Bay Street (n): The Canadian equivalent, referring to Toronto's financial district.
• The Street (n): A common shorthand used in financial contexts to mean Wall Street.
  • The Street is expecting a volatile trading day.

Synonyms

• The financial district: Refers to the physical area in lower Manhattan.
• The market(s): Refers to the financial trading activities.
• High finance: Refers to the sector involving large-scale corporate and investment finance.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Wall Street vs. Main Street": A phrase highlighting the perceived contrast or conflict between the interests of the financial industry and those of ordinary citizens and small businesses.
  • The policy debate centered on Wall Street vs. Main Street.

Noun

1. a street in lower Manhattan where the New York Stock Exchange is located; symbol of American finance