street address: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very HighNeutral (Used across formal, informal, technical, and legal contexts)
Quick answer
What does “street address” mean?
The specific location details used to identify a building or plot of land, typically consisting of a street number and name, and sometimes apartment or unit number.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The specific location details used to identify a building or plot of land, typically consisting of a street number and name, and sometimes apartment or unit number.
The complete physical identifier for a residence or business that enables mail delivery, navigation, and official registration; more broadly, a location's identifier within a civic addressing system, distinct from a postal code or geographic coordinates.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Concept is identical. Minor differences in formatting conventions (e.g., US uses '123 Main St.'; UK often uses '123 Main Street'). In the UK, 'postcode' is a crucial part of the full address; in the US, 'ZIP code' serves a similar role.
Connotations
None. Purely factual and administrative in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties, as it is a fundamental concept for administration, commerce, and daily life.
Grammar
How to Use “street address” in a Sentence
Enter your [street address] on the form.The [street address] consists of a number and a street name.Please provide [street address] and postcode.Verify the [street address] before submitting.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “street address” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The council will street-address the new properties next month. (Rare, technical)
American English
- The developer needs to street-address the lots before sale. (Rare, technical)
adjective
British English
- Please complete the street-address details on the application.
American English
- The street-address information is stored in a separate database.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used on invoices, contracts, and for customer registration. 'Please update your company's registered street address.'
Academic
Used for correspondence and publication details. 'The author's institutional street address is required.'
Everyday
Used for online orders, giving directions, and filling out forms. 'What's your street address for the delivery?'
Technical
Used in geocoding, database management, and GIS (Geographic Information Systems). 'The API converts the street address into latitude and longitude.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “street address”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “street address”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “street address”
- Confusing 'street address' with 'postal address' (which can be a PO Box). Omitting the apartment or flat number when it's part of the full street address. Writing the elements out of order (e.g., street name before number).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. A street address is a type of mailing address, but a mailing address can also be a PO Box, which is not a street address.
Either is acceptable, but consistency with local convention is best. Official forms often spell it out (e.g., 'Main Street'), while notes may use the abbreviation (e.g., 'Main St.').
'Address' is the broader term encompassing any delivery location (PO Box, email, etc.). 'Street address' specifies a physical, civic location on a named thoroughfare.
Line 1 is typically for the core street address (number and street name). Line 2 is for supplementary information like apartment, suite, or unit number, helping to ensure precise delivery.
The specific location details used to identify a building or plot of land, typically consisting of a street number and name, and sometimes apartment or unit number.
Street address is usually neutral (used across formal, informal, technical, and legal contexts) in register.
Street address: in British English it is pronounced /striːt əˈdres/, and in American English it is pronounced /striːt ˈæ.dres/ (or /ə.ˈdres/ less commonly for the noun form). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To not have a fixed street address (to be of no fixed abode).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a STREET where your house is, and the ADDRESS that tells people how to find it on that street. Street + Address = Location on a street.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN ADDRESS IS A LOCATOR / AN IDENTITY TAG FOR A PLACE.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT typically part of a standard street address?