town hall

noun

1

: a public building used for town-government offices and meetings

2

: an event at which a public official or political candidate addresses an audience by answering questions posed by individual members

Town halls have lost some of their spontaneity. The 80 or so undecided voters chosen for Tuesday's event must submit their questions in advance and moderator Candy Crowley of CNN will decide which people to call on.

—Connie Cass

Examples of town hall in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Last month, the group hosted a virtual town hall meeting for young climate activists who were eager to see the proposal passed. —Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2024

Former President Donald Trump speaks during a Turning Point PAC town hall at Dream City Church on June 6, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona. —Robert Legare, CBS News, 10 June 2024

Lewandowski then reminded attendees that two town halls on the proposal are scheduled for next week. —Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 26 Apr. 2024

The district also held a town hall meeting with Sheriff Paul Miyamoto to address community concerns. —Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

town hall

noun

: a public building used for offices and meetings of town government