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

1dialect English : a cluster or aggregation of houses recognized as a distinct place with a place-name : hamlet2 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 market3: a particular town or city under consideration <the circus came to town>4: the city or urban life as contrasted with the country5 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 meeting7: 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