Main Entry:

bor·ough

Pronunciation:

\ˈbər-(ˌ)ō, ˈbə-(ˌ)rō\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English burgh, from Old English burg fortified town; akin to Old High German burg fortified place, and probably to Old English beorg hill — more at barrow

Date:

before 12th century

1 a: a medieval fortified group of houses forming a town with special duties and privileges b: a town or urban constituency in Great Britain that sends a member to Parliament c: an urban area in Great Britain incorporated for purposes of self-government2 a: a municipal corporation proper in some states (as New Jersey and Minnesota) corresponding to the incorporated town or village of the other states b: one of the five constituent political divisions of New York City3: a civil division of the state of Alaska corresponding to a county in most other states