Definition of precinct
1 : a part of a territory with definite bounds or functions often established for administrative purposes : district: such asa : a subdivision of a county, town, city, or ward for election purposesb : a division of a city for police control
2a : an enclosure bounded by the walls of a building —often used in pluralb : a sphere of thought, action, or influence —often used in plural
3a precincts plural : the region immediately surrounding a place : environsb : place, locale
4 : boundary —often used in plural a ruined tower within the precincts of the squire's grounds — T. L. Peacock
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Examples of precinct in a Sentence
a sexist attitude that was pretty common in the precincts of the automobile business
Recent Examples of precinct from the Web
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The city stands out a bit on this precinct-level map of election results from southwestern Pennsylvania compiled by Decision Desk HQ.
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The King County Democrats will hold a special meeting next month with precinct-committee officers from Farrell’s district to discuss who should succeed her.
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For City of Mansfield registered voters residing in Tarrant County, voting location is determined by precinct number: ▪ Precincts 2033, 2360, 2614, 2618, and 2643 will vote at Mansfield Sub-Courthouse, 1100 E. Broad Street.
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The legislature in 2014 passed a bill to force consolidation of precincts with fewer than 500 active voters, but the Lake County Democratic Committee challenged the law in court.
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Officers with the Pikesville precinct are investigating.
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Gianforte had 50.4 percent of the vote to Quist’s 43.9 percent, according to the Associated Press, with 98 percent of precincts reporting.
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Republican Greg Gianforte edged to a slight lead over Democrat Rob Quist on Thursday night in Montana’s closely watched congressional contest, with about one-third of precincts reporting.
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But in some precincts, the GOP is sending foot soldiers armed with PDAs door to door to collect the data, which is then uploaded straight into Voter Vault, the party's national get-out-the-vote database of supporters.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'precinct'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of precinct
Middle English, from Medieval Latin praecinctum, from Latin, neuter of praecinctus, past participle of praecingere to gird, encircle, from prae- pre- + cingere to gird — more at cincture
First Known Use: 15th century
PRECINCT Defined for English Language Learners
precinct
playDefinition of precinct for English Language Learners
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: any one of the sections that a town or city is divided into when people vote in an election
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: any one of the sections that a city is divided into for organizing the city's police forces
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: a police station of a precinct
PRECINCT Defined for Kids
precinct
playDefinition of precinct for Students
1 : any of the sections into which a town or city is divided for a particular purpose (as voting or police protection)
2 : a surrounding or enclosed area Stay within school precincts.
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See words that rhyme with precinct Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for precinct Spanish Central: Translation of precinct Nglish: Translation of precinct for Spanish speakers
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