prefecture

[ pree-fek-cher ]

noun

1. the office, jurisdiction, territory, or official residence of a prefect.

prefecture

/ ˈpriːfɛkˌtjʊə /

noun

1. the office, position, or area of authority of a prefect
2. the official residence of a prefect in France, Italy, etc

Derived Forms

• preˈfectural, adjective

Other Words From

• pre·fec·tur·al [pri-, fek, -cher-, uh, l], adjective
• sub·prefec·ture noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of prefecture¹

From the Latin word praefectūra, dating back to 1570–80. See prefect, -ure

Example Sentences

For example, out of 47 Japanese prefectures, Okinawa ranks first on body mass index, second on beer consumption, and fourth on suicide rate among people over the age of 65.

From Science Magazine

It was then that the baby was discovered, the prefecture added.

From BBC

After more than six weeks of protests over the high cost of living on the French Caribbean island of Martinique, the local prefecture has signed a deal to cut soaring food prices.

From BBC

Six people have been killed and 10 others are missing after record rainfall caused floods and landslides in parts of Japan's Ishikawa prefecture.

From BBC

Japan's public broadcaster NHK quoted government officials as saying 12 rivers in the prefecture had breached their banks.

From BBC