What's in a name?

"A street is a road but a road isn't always a street. A road can also be an avenue or a boulevard—it's the general term for anything that connects two points. From there, the names of roads can be shaped by their environment and/or the form of the road. A drive is a long winding road that can be shaped by mountains or a lake. Place is a narrow road with no throughway. And just as there is no rule book to building a city, these roads and other don't always correspond with their described classifications."



"As Edwards emphasizes, there are exceptions, but here are a few of the meanings behind the most common names:

• Road — Anything that connects two points. 
• Way — A side street off a road.
• Street — A public way with buildings on both sides. These often run perpendicular to avenues.
• Avenue — Also have trees or buildings on both sides.
• Boulevard — A wide street in a city with trees or greenery on both sides. There's generally a median in the middle of a boulevard.
• Lane — A narrow road, often in a rural area.
• Drive — A winding road that has its route shaped by natural features such as a lake or mountain.
• Terrace — A road that runs along the top of a slope.
• Place — A road with no throughway.
• Court — A road with no throughway that ends in a loop or cul-de-sac.
• Plaza or Square — An open public space that's surrounded by businesses or streets."

from: https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/whats-the-difference-between-roads-street-avenues

also: http://lifehacker.com/the-difference-between-streets-boulevards-avenues-an-1789115850