Definition of town

Email this page to a friend

< towline

Town, Ithiel >

town    (toun) KEY 

NOUN:

1. 1. A population center that is larger than a village and smaller than a city.
   2. A territorial and political unit governed by a town meeting, especially in New England.
   3. Informal A city: New York is a big town.
   4. Chiefly British A rural village that has a market or fair periodically.
   5. The residents of a town: The whole town was upset at the news.
2. An area that is more densely populated or developed than the surrounding area: going into town to shop.
3. The residents of a community in which a university or college is located, as opposed to the students and faculty: a dispute pitting town against gown.
4. A group of prairie dog burrows.

IDIOM:
on the town Informal

In spirited pursuit of the entertainment offered by a town or city.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old English tn, enclosed place, village; see dheu- in Indo-European roots