strada

Strada is the Italian word for street or road. The term originates from Latin strata, meaning a paved or spread-out way, and entered Italian through early Romance language development. In contemporary Italian, strada is a feminine noun (la strada) and forms the plural le strade. It is used in everyday speech and in compound expressions such as strade asfaltate (paved roads) and prendere la strada (to begin a journey or to choose a path).

As a proper noun, Strada appears as a surname and in toponyms in Italian-speaking areas. It is found in the names of towns, districts, or local landmarks where the road itself is a notable feature, and it is carried by individuals of Italian origin through emigration and diaspora communities.

In culture and media, Strada appears in titles and branding. The best-known related term is La Strada (The Road), a 1954 film by Federico Fellini that achieved international recognition and helped popularize the phrase in non-Italian contexts. The word also appears in various literary and artistic works, often as a metaphor for life’s path or journey.

See also: La Strada; strada as a general Italian term.