An A-Z glossary on the theme of ‘streets’, containing a definition for each letter of the alphabet (where possible).
View across Kensington High Street © Urban Exposure
A street is a road for the travel of motor vehicles lined with sidewalks for pedestrians and buildings on either side of the road, found in an urban setting.
The A-Z glossary for buildings and places can be used as:
- a straightforward research tool for teachers and students
- a reference point for students during a unit or scheme of work on buildings and places
- introductory activities for a new learning session or scheme of work on buildings and places
- a way of developing classroom discussion.
Streets: A-Z glossary
Alley A narrow lane or passage.
Boulevard A broad street lined with trees.
Cul-de-sac A street that is open at one end and usually has an area for turning at the other.
Drain Channeling rainwater off the street.
Esplanade A level, open area for walking upon.
Footway A flat surface for only people to walk upon.
Grid A network of streets that intersect at right angles.
High street The most important shopping and commercial street of a traditional town.
Impasse A closed, dead-end street.
Jay-walk To walk across a street or road without using the correct pedestrian crossing-point.
Kerb Usually made of long stones or concrete, this is the edge where a raised pavement meets a road. It acts as a barrier to stop motorists driving onto the pavement.
Lamp-post A post that supports a street light.
Motorway A high-speed road for motor vehicles and only interrupted by crossings.
Network pattern Referred to a web of streets that cross over one another, (though not always at right angles as does a street grid pattern).
One-way street A road along which motor vehicles can only drive through from one direction, one end of the road is the entrance, and the other end is the exit.
Pavement The raised surface on the side of a street, usually made from concrete, where people walk on foot.
Approach to Mccreanor Lavington-designed houses, Accordia, Cambridge © David Millington
Quiet lane A term given to a network of roads often within a rural town or setting. It is a programme set up by local authorities to reduce heavy traffic by encouraging local residents to use country lanes for all purposes: cycling, walking, driving and horse riding. Non-local traffic is diverted to other mainstream roads. Take a look at the Kent County Council quiet lane scheme.
Roundabout A circular road intersection, which traffic travels around a central island.
Square A rectangular open paved space that is surrounded entirely or partly by buildings. It is usually created for public use.
Thoroughfare Any type of road that is open at both ends and used for public travel of any kind.
Underpass A tunnel that passes under a road or a railway for people to walk through.
Void A space between buildings and structures, this could be a redundant space, square or park within an urban block.
Wynd A term used in Scotland to describe a narrow, winding street.
Ystryd Welsh word for a street.
Zebra crossing A pedestrian road crossing created with black and white stripes painted on the road.
Activity for ‘streets’
Key stage 2: Use the A Z ‘streets’ list to support teaching through the CABE teaching resource, Our street: learning to see.
More A-Z glossaries
Go back to the complete list of A-Z glossaries for buildings and places, and associated class activities.
