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shantytown

noun

shan·​ty·​town ˈshan-tē-ˌtau̇n How to pronounce shantytown (audio)
: a usually poor town or section of a town consisting mostly of shanties

Examples of shantytown in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Their target was the Comando Vermelho (CV), or Red Command, a criminal organization that has ruled these hillside shantytowns for decades. Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025 Farmers once proud of living and working their ancestral land were driven into poverty and forced into shantytowns. Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025 These new shantytowns are plagued with substance abuse, violence and prostitution. Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025 In 2011, federal agents raided the shantytown and made dozens of arrests. Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shantytown

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shantytown was in 1876

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Cite this Entry

“Shantytown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shantytown. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

shantytown

noun
shan·​ty·​town -ˌtau̇n How to pronounce shantytown (audio)
: a usually poor town or section of a town made up mostly of shanties
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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