district

[ dis-trikt ]

noun

1. a division of territory, as of a country, state, or county, marked off for administrative, electoral, or other purposes.
2. a region or locality:

   the theater district; the Lake District.

3. British. a subdivision of a county or a town.
4. the District, the District of Columbia; Washington, D.C.

verb (used with object)

1. to divide into districts.

district

/ ˈdɪstrɪkt /

noun

1. 1. an area of land marked off for administrative or other purposes
   2. ( as modifier )

      district nurse

2. a locality separated by geographical attributes; region
3. any subdivision of any territory, region, etc
4. (in England from 1974 and in Wales 1974–96) any of the subdivisions of the nonmetropolitan counties that elects a council responsible for local planning, housing, rates, etc See also metropolitan district
5. (in Scotland until 1975) a landward division of a county
6. (in Scotland 1975–96) any of the subdivisions of the regions that elected a council responsible for environmental health services, housing, etc
7. any of the 26 areas into which Northern Ireland has been divided since 1973. Elected district councils are responsible for environmental health services, etc

verb

1. tr to divide into districts

Other Words From

• inter·district adjective
• outdistrict noun
• pre·district noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of district¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from French, from Medieval Latin distrīctus “exercise of justice, restraining of offenders,” derivative of Latin distringere “to stretch out; detain, occupy,” equivalent to di- suffix of separation + strig- (base of stringere “to bind, tie”) + -tus suffix of verbal action; distrain, di- ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of district¹

C17: from Medieval Latin districtus area of jurisdiction, from Latin distringere to stretch out; see distrain

Example Sentences

The crowded shopping bazaar in the Istanbul district of Esenyurt is popular with the thousands of Syrian refugees who live in the region.

From BBC

So he made a quick, early-morning trip to the flower district and visited his favorite vendors at the Original Los Angeles Flower Market and across Wall Street at the Southern California Flower Market.

From Los Angeles Times

In his district, 27 motels have been converted into housing projects.

From Los Angeles Times

“Her alleged actions impacted the potential for improved learning environments across major school districts by selfishly prioritizing personal expenses.”

From Los Angeles Times

Representatives for Johnson as well as the Williamson County sheriff’s and district attorney’s offices did not reply immediately Tuesday to The Times’ request for comment.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• commune
• community
• department
• locality
• neighborhood
• parish
• precinct
• region
• section
• sector
• territory