name
Common
Broadway
BRAWD-way
Broadway (name) means the famous street running through Manhattan, especially associated with its theater district. Example: “They saw a musical on Broadway during their trip to New York.”
name
1
The famous street running through Manhattan, especially associated with its theater district.
"They saw a musical on Broadway during their trip to New York."
2
The American theater industry centered in that district.
"Among the ensemble’s strange, outmoded, “original” instruments — the feral horns, sour violins, wooden flutes, cellos without endpins — she seemed right at home, despite her Broadway provenance."
— Jesse Green, Let Her Entertain You. Please! (2007)
"The show went on to become a huge Broadway hit."
How to use Broadway
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually refers to the famous New York street and theater district, or American professional theater in general.
Common pairings
Broadway musical
Broadway show
Broadway hit
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Word forms
- Plural
- broadways
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They saw a musical on _____ during their trip to New York.
Etymology
Literally "broad way," a wide road — the name has been used for centuries for wide thoroughfares, with the Manhattan street becoming the most famous example.
Synonyms
View more →
the great white way
Rhymes for Broadway
See all rhymes for Broadway →Frequently asked questions
What does “Broadway” mean?
The word “Broadway” means the famous street running through Manhattan, especially associated with its theater district. In plain terms, usually refers to the famous New York street and theater district, or American professional theater in general.
How do you pronounce “Broadway”?
“Broadway” is pronounced BRAWD-way (/ˈbɹɔdweɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Broadway” in a sentence?
Here is “Broadway” used in a sentence: “They saw a musical on Broadway during their trip to New York.”
What part of speech is “Broadway”?
“Broadway” is a name.
Is “Broadway” a common word?
“Broadway” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Broadway” have?
“Broadway” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the famous street running through Manhattan, especially associated with its theater district.
What is the difference between Broadway and off-Broadway?
A show counts as "Broadway" when it plays in one of the large designated Broadway theaters in Manhattan's Theater District, traditionally those with 500 or more seats. Off-Broadway refers to smaller professional New York venues, so the distinction is mainly about theater size and designation rather than the quality of the production.
Is Broadway a street or a theater district?
Both, depending on context. Broadway is a famous street running through Manhattan, and by extension the name also refers to the theater district associated with it and to the American theater industry centered there — so a "Broadway show" is one staged in that district, not necessarily on the street itself.
Why is Broadway called the Great White Way?
"The Great White Way" is a long-standing nickname for the stretch of Broadway running through the Theater District. It refers to the dazzling white glow of the electric lights and illuminated signs that made the street famous in the early era of electric advertising.
Is every musical a Broadway show?
No. Broadway refers specifically to productions staged in the Broadway theaters of Manhattan and to the industry centered there. Musicals staged elsewhere — on tour, in London's West End, or in regional theaters — are not Broadway shows, and Broadway itself stages plays as well as musicals.
