main road

Meaning

A main road is a major, busy public road that connects towns, cities, or major districts, usually carrying a high volume of traffic. It is typically wider and faster than side streets or residential lanes. In British English, this is the standard term, whereas American English often uses 'highway' or 'main street' depending on the context.

Examples

• Turn left at the end of this lane to get back onto the main road.

  Turn left at the end of this lane to get back onto the main road.

• Our house is on the main road, so we get quite a lot of traffic noise during rush hour.

  Our house is on the main road, so we get quite a lot of traffic noise during rush hour.

• It is much easier to cycle on the quiet back lanes than on the busy main road.

  It is much easier to cycle on the quiet back lanes than on the busy main road.

• The hotel is located just off the main road, making it very easy to find.

  The hotel is located just off the main road, making it very easy to find.

• We had to wait for five minutes just to pull out onto the main road because of the heavy traffic.

  We had to wait for five minutes just to pull out onto the main road because of the heavy traffic.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We drove on the principal road to reach the city.

  ✓ We drove on the main road to reach the city.

  Principal road is overly formal and stilted. Main road is the natural and common way to express this in everyday English.

• ✗ Turn right onto the principal street.

  ✓ Turn right onto the main road.

  Principal street is a literal translation in many languages. English speakers use main road for driving routes or high street / main street for shopping areas.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The traffic is always heavy on the ___ during rush hour.

  💡 The primary, busiest road in an area.

  Show answer

  main road

• Once you leave the village, follow the ___ for five miles.

  💡 The major route connecting towns.

  Show answer

  main road