street
[C/U] Both
pl: streets
The word evokes a sense of urban connectivity and social boundary. It is the primary artery of city life, serving as both a transit route and a shared social space where private homes meet public access. In a sociological context, the term often carries a gritty or raw connotation. To be on the street implies a lack of shelter or a proximity to the marginalized, while street smarts refers to a practical, survivalist intelligence gained from urban experience rather than formal education.
Countable when referring to a specific paved road (two streets over). Uncountable when referring to the general environment of urban homelessness or public life (living on the street).