Is 'street name' one word or two?

It is a two-word open compound noun. It is not hyphenated ('street-name' is occasionally seen as an adjective but 'street name' is standard for the noun).

Can 'street name' mean the same as 'address'?

No. An address typically includes a street name AND a number (and often a postcode). The street name is just one component of a full address.

Why do drugs have 'street names'?

To provide a covert, slang-based terminology that is easily understood within subcultures while obscuring meaning from law enforcement and outsiders.

What's the difference between a 'street' and a 'road' in a street name?

Traditionally, 'street' implies buildings (often in a town), while 'road' implies a route between places. However, in modern naming, the distinction is often arbitrary and governed by local convention.

How do you pronounce “street name”?

Street name: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstriːt ˌneɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstriːt ˌneɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

street name: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/ˈstriːt ˌneɪm/US/ˈstriːt ˌneɪm/

Neutral; formal in official/administrative contexts, informal in drug/finance slang.

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “street name” mean?

The official, designated name of a public road or thoroughfare in a city, town, or village (e.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

The official, designated name of a public road or thoroughfare in a city, town, or village (e.g., Oxford Street, Maple Avenue).

1. A nickname or moniker by which a drug is commonly known on the street (e.g., 'crystal' for methamphetamine). 2. In finance, a term for securities held in the name of a broker or another intermediary rather than in the name of the owner.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in the primary, geographical sense. The secondary financial sense is slightly more common in American financial jargon.

Connotations

The primary sense is neutral. The drug-related sense carries strong negative connotations of illegality.

Frequency

The primary sense is high-frequency in both varieties. The drug slang is informal and subcultural. The financial term is industry-specific.

Grammar

How to Use “street name” in a Sentence

the street name [of/for + LOCATION]a street name ending in 'Road'known by the street nameregistered in a street name

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

change ofofficialnewfamousmain

medium

historicpermanentsignplaterecognizable

weak

forgottenconfusingunusualmemorableresidential

Examples

Examples of “street name” in a Sentence

verb

British English

The council voted to street-name the new development 'Pioneer Way'.
The alley hasn't been officially street-named yet.

American English

The city plans to street-name the boulevard after the civil rights leader.
Developers can suggest but not unilaterally street-name new roads.

adjective

British English

We need a street-name sign installed at this corner.
The street-name registry is maintained by the borough council.

American English

The street-name change proposal went to a public hearing.
Check the street-name directory for the correct spelling.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

In finance: 'The shares are held in street name for faster trading.'

Academic

In urban studies: 'The study analysed the socio-historical patterns evident in street name etymology.'

Everyday

For directions: 'I don't know the street name, but it's the big road next to the park.'

Technical

In pharmacology/ law enforcement: 'The report listed the common street names for the newly synthesised opioid.'

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “street name”

Strong

moniker (for drug sense)street alias (for drug sense)nominee name (for finance sense)

Neutral

road namethoroughfare name

Weak

address componentlocation identifier

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “street name”

unmarked roadunnamed laneprivate namelegal name (for finance sense)

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “street name”

Using 'street name' to mean a person's nickname (e.g., *His street name is 'Red' – this is possible but highly specific to subcultures; 'nickname' is safer).
Confusing 'street name' (the name) with 'street number' (the building number).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: It is a two-word open compound noun. It is not hyphenated ('street-name' is occasionally seen as an adjective but 'street name' is standard for the noun).
: No. An address typically includes a street name AND a number (and often a postcode). The street name is just one component of a full address.
: To provide a covert, slang-based terminology that is easily understood within subcultures while obscuring meaning from law enforcement and outsiders.
: Traditionally, 'street' implies buildings (often in a town), while 'road' implies a route between places. However, in modern naming, the distinction is often arbitrary and governed by local convention.
: The official, designated name of a public road or thoroughfare in a city, town, or village (e.
: Street name is usually neutral; formal in official/administrative contexts, informal in drug/finance slang. in register.
: Street name: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstriːt ˌneɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstriːt ˌneɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“a household name (related conceptually, but not the same phrase)”
“put (a drug) on the street (related context)”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a street sign with a NAME tag hanging on it. The sign officially NAMEs the STREET.

Conceptual Metaphor

IDENTITY IS A NAME (a street's 'identity' for navigation is its name). A COMMODITY/OBJECT IS A PERSON (drugs/financial holdings are given aliases/nicknames).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

Before the new development was built, the old farm track had no official .

Multiple Choice

In which context does 'street name' NOT refer to a road?