French Conversation · Level 122
60 words
French word
artère
Pronunciation
IPA/aʁtɛʁ/
Meaning
- feminine nounmain road
Example
L'artère principale traverse la ville.
The main road runs through the city.
More examples
L'artère routière est complètement bouchée ce matin.
The major road is completely backed up this morning.
Core concept
A main channel carrying continuous traffic or blood through a larger network.
Common phrases
artère routière
major road
artère bouchée
congested main road
artère secondaire
secondary road
Similar words
avenue: A wide street, often lined with trees and sidewalks, used by cars and pedestrians.
boulevard: A broad, heavily used road with multiple lanes or a dividing median.
rue: A narrower urban street bordered by homes or shops and used for daily travel.
route: A long-distance main road linking one town or city to another.
Definition in French
Axe routier principal d'une ville ou d'un réseau, conçu pour un transit intense et continu.
Word origin
French artère comes from Latin arteria, borrowed from Greek, and its original bodily sense extended metaphorically to major roads.
Usage tips
- Artère is feminine, so the usual form is une artère and the common road phrase is une artère principale.