A dead end, also known as a cul-de-sac (/ ˈ k ʌ l d ə s æ k, ˈ k ʊ l-/, from French for 'bag-bottom'), no through road or no exit road, is a street with only one inlet or outlet.. The term "dead end" is understood in all varieties of English, but the official terminology and traffic signs include many different alternatives.