precinct

noun

pre·​cinct ˈprē-ˌsiŋ(k)t How to pronounce precinct (audio)
1
: a part of a territory with definite bounds or functions often established for administrative purposes : district: such as
a
: a subdivision of a county, town, city, or ward for election purposes
b
: a division of a city for police control
2
a
: an enclosure bounded by the walls of a building
often used in plural
b
: a sphere of thought, action, or influence
often used in plural
3
a
precincts plural : the region immediately surrounding a place : environs
b
4
: boundary
often used in plural
a ruined tower within the precincts of the squire's groundsT. L. Peacock

Examples of precinct in a Sentence

Voting results from several precincts are delayed. They were taken to the precinct for questioning.
Recent Examples on the Web She has been tasked with observing a police precinct after a series of wrongful arrests and other violations (and, secretly, with collecting evidence for a corruption case). Phillip MacIak, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024 Its light also illuminated and enhanced the whiteness of clouds in the sky’s more distant precincts. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2024 Political party observers randomly select the precincts. Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2024 Tarrant County commissioner, Precinct 1 Longtime Commissioner Roy Brooks did not seek reelection to his southwest Tarrant County precinct, opening up the position for the first time in two decades. Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2024 Democratic precinct officials will cast votes for Jocelyn Vare and Crystal Neumann at a special election Saturday to name a replacement for Dayna Colbert, who has been named Indiana Democratic Party executive director. John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Feb. 2024 Zachary Tumin, a former NYPD official who oversaw the rollout of social media accounts to precinct commanders and chiefs beginning in 2015, said police officials were initially instructed to maintain a positive tone. Jake Offenhartz, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024 Valenzuela won nearly all the midtown, downtown precincts, while Pluckebaum won all the East Sacramento and River Park ones. Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2024 Between the hours of 3 a.m. and 7 a.m., a desk officer will no longer be stationed in the city’s police precincts. Emma Colton, Fox News, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'precinct.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin praecinctum, from Latin, neuter of praecinctus, past participle of praecingere to gird, encircle, from prae- pre- + cingere to gird — more at cincture

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of precinct was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near precinct

Cite this Entry

“Precinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precinct. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

precinct

noun
pre·​cinct ˈprē-ˌsiŋ(k)t How to pronounce precinct (audio)
1
: an administrative district especially of a town or city
a police precinct
an electoral precinct
2
: a surrounding or enclosed area
within the precincts of the college

More from Merriam-Webster on precinct

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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