Main Entry: town

Pronunciation: \ˈtau̇n\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English tūn enclosure, village, town; akin to Old High German zūn enclosure, Old Irish dún fortress

Date: before 12th century

1 dialect English : a cluster or aggregation of houses recognized as a distinct place with a place-name : hamlet
2 a : a compactly settled area as distinguished from surrounding rural territory b : a compactly settled area usually larger than a village but smaller than a city c : a large densely populated urban area : city d : an English village having a periodic fair or market
3 : a particular town or city under consideration <the circus came to town>
4 : the city or urban life as contrasted with the country
5 a : the inhabitants of a city or town <practically the whole town turned out for the parade> b : the townspeople of a college or university town as distinct from the academic community <relations between town and gown>
6 : a New England territorial and political unit usually containing under a single town government both rural areas and urban areas not having their own charter of incorporation; also : a New England community governed by a town meeting
7 : a group of prairie dog burrows

— town adjective

— on the town : in usually carefree pursuit of entertainment or amusement (as city nightlife) especially as a relief from routine