town

¹

[ toun ]

noun

1. a thickly populated area, usually smaller than a city and larger than a village, having fixed boundaries and certain local powers of government.
2. a densely populated area of considerable size, as a city or borough.
3. (especially in New England) a municipal corporation with less elaborate organization and powers than a city.
4. (in most U.S. states except those of New England) a township.
5. any urban area, as contrasted with its surrounding countryside.
6. the inhabitants of a town; townspeople; citizenry.
7. the particular town or city in mind or referred to:

   living on the outskirts of town; to be out of town.

8. a nearby or neighboring city; the chief town or city in a district:

   I am staying at a friend's apartment in town.

9. the main business or shopping area in a town or city; downtown.
10. British.
    1. a village or hamlet in which a periodic market or fair is held.
    2. any village or hamlet.
11. Scot. a farmstead.

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or belonging to a town:

   town laws; town government; town constable.

Town

²

[ toun ]

noun

1. Ith·i·el [ith, -ee-, uh, l], 1784–1844, U.S. architect.

town

/ taʊn /

noun

1. 1. a densely populated urban area, typically smaller than a city and larger than a village, having some local powers of government and a fixed boundary
   2. ( as modifier ) urban

      town life

2. a city, borough, or other urban area
3. (in the US) a territorial unit of local government that is smaller than a county; township
4. the nearest town or commercial district
5. London or the chief city of an area
6. the inhabitants of a town
7. the permanent residents of a university town as opposed to the university staff and students Compare gown
8. go to town
   1. to make a supreme or unrestricted effort; go all out
   2. to lose one's temper
9. on the town
   seeking out entertainments and amusements

Derived Forms

• ˈtownish, adjective
• ˈtownless, adjective

Other Words From

• townless adjective
• inter·town adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of town¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English toun, tun, Old English tūn “walled or fenced place, courtyard, farmstead, village”; cognate with Old Norse tūn “homefield,” German Zaun “fence”; akin to Old Irish dún “citadel, fortress” ( down ³( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of town¹

Old English tūn village; related to Old Saxon, Old Norse tūn, Old High German zūn fence, Old Irish dūn

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. go to town, Informal.
   1. to be successful.
   2. to do well, efficiently, or speedily:

      The engineers really went to town on those plans.

   3. to lose restraint or inhibition; overindulge.
2. on the town,
   1. Informal. in quest of entertainment in a city's nightclubs, bars, etc.; out to have a good time:

      a bunch of college kids out on the town.

   2. supported by the public charity of the state or community; on relief.
3. paint the town. paint ( def 16 ).

More idioms and phrases containing town

In addition to the idiom beginning with town , also see all over the place (town) ; ghost town ; go to town ; man about town ; one-horse town ; only game in town ; on the town ; out of town ; paint the town red ; talk of the town .

Synonym Study

See community.

Example Sentences

Minutes after the final whistle, Forest’s social media account pointed an accusing finger at VAR Stuart Attwell, who they claimed was a fan of Luton Town, who were also in relegation trouble at the time.

From BBC

And Leon has recast Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” and made it a reflection of today’s multicultural America.

From Los Angeles Times

More significantly, nuclear armament would first require South Korea to withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty — a move that Town said would probably result in international sanctions.

From Los Angeles Times

After being scouted by Northampton Town, she joined West Ham’s academy but is now with MK Dons and playing for their first team in the Women’s National League.

From BBC

Despite a slow start to the season for the third campaign in a row, wins against Luton Town and, impressively, at Middlesbrough, seemed to give Robins a bit of breathing space.

From BBC

Related Words

• city
• metropolis
• municipality
• township