boulevard

noun

bou·​le·​vard ˈbu̇-lə-ˌvärd How to pronounce boulevard (audio)
ˈbü-
also ˈbə-
Synonyms of boulevardnext
: a broad often landscaped thoroughfare

Synonyms of boulevard

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Examples of boulevard in a Sentence

the city is celebrated for its broad, tree-lined boulevards
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Over mountain roads and city boulevards, CLA drove with the style and balance expected of a German sedan. — Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 As joint capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 1873 to 1918, Budapest was one of the liveliest, most cultured, and prosperous cities in Europe; that golden era saw the construction of grand boulevards and numerous splendid buildings. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026 While some like Ríos García have slept on the boulevard, others struggle to get some rest on balconies and front porches. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 Limon’s Afro-Caribbean heritage, historic wooden architecture and waterfront boulevards create a unique urban setting unlike anywhere else in the region. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for boulevard

Word History

Etymology

French, modification of Middle Dutch bolwerc bulwark

First Known Use

1763, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of boulevard was in 1763

Rhymes for boulevard

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Browse Nearby Words

bouleuterion
boulevard
boulevardier
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Cite this Entry

“Boulevard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boulevard. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

boulevard

noun
bou·​le·​vard ˈbu̇l-ə-ˌvärd How to pronounce boulevard (audio)
ˈbül-
: a wide avenue often having grass strips with trees along its center or sides
Etymology

from French boulevard "walkway lined with trees," derived from early Dutch bolwerc "bulwark, rampart"; so called because the earliest boulevards were at sites of razed fortifications — related to bulwark

More from Merriam-Webster on boulevard

Nglish: Translation of boulevard for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about boulevard

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