noun
Often refers to historical highways from the Edo period, but also used for modern main roads. The Edo-period connotation is strong in historical contexts.
旧東海道は江戸時代の主要な街道だった。
The Old Tōkaidō was a major highway in the Edo period.
この街道をまっすぐ行くと駅に出ます。
If you go straight along this main road, you'll reach the station.
noun
Metaphorical use for a route to success or a career path. Often appears in compounds like 出世街道 (path to success) or エリート街道 (elite path).
See also: 出世街道 (しゅっせかいどう)
彼は出世街道をまっしぐらに進んでいる。
He is speeding along the fast track to success.
若いころからエリート街道を歩んできた。
He has walked the elite path since he was young.
noun
subdistrict (China)
Administrative division in China, equivalent to a subdistrict. Rare in everyday Japanese; mainly encountered in geographical or political contexts.
中国の行政区分では、街道は郷や鎮と同じレベルにある。
In China's administrative divisions, a subdistrict is at the same level as a township or town.