1
a
: a compactly settled area usually larger than a village but smaller than a city
b
: a compactly settled area as distinguished from surrounding rural territory
c
: a large densely populated urban area : city
d
: an English village having a periodic fair or market
2
: a particular town or city under consideration
the circus came to town
3
: the city or urban life as contrasted with the country
4
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
5
: 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
6
dialectal, England
: a cluster or aggregation of houses recognized as a distinct place with a place-name : hamlet
7
: a group of prairie dog burrows
town
adjective
see also:
Examples of town in a Sentence
the town of Jackson, Florida
The nearest shopping mall is two towns away.
The town plans to increase property taxes.
We're heading to town later on.
Recent Examples on the Web
Right above water in the heart of town, the historic villa unfolds across three levels, each lined with panoramic terraces that capture sweeping 180-degree views of the coastline.
—
Angela Tafoya, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
Some residents say the development could dramatically change the character of Social Circle, a small town in eastern metro Atlanta.
—Cbs News Atlanta Staff, CBS News, 9 Mar. 2026
As the train moves through the Hudson Valley and up toward the Canadian border, riverfront towns give way to wide expanses of water and distant mountain peaks.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
However, many around town consider the production cost for an original, edgy, high-art movie, with an actress who is still nascent in her career as far as marquee value goes, to be way too much.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for town
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Angela Tafoya, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
Some residents say the development could dramatically change the character of Social Circle, a small town in eastern metro Atlanta.
—Cbs News Atlanta Staff, CBS News, 9 Mar. 2026
As the train moves through the Hudson Valley and up toward the Canadian border, riverfront towns give way to wide expanses of water and distant mountain peaks.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
However, many around town consider the production cost for an original, edgy, high-art movie, with an actress who is still nascent in her career as far as marquee value goes, to be way too much.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for town
Cite this Entry
“Town.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/town. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
town
noun1
a
: a compactly settled area that is usually larger than a village but smaller than a city
b
2
: the people of a town
town
adjective
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