precinct

noun

pre·​cinct ˈprē-ˌsiŋ(k)t 

1

: a part of a territory with definite bounds or functions often established for administrative purposes : district: such as

a

: a subdivision of a county, town, city, or ward for election purposes

b

: a division of a city for police control

2

a

: an enclosure bounded by the walls of a building

—often used in plural

b

: a sphere of thought, action, or influence

—often used in plural

3

a

precincts plural : the region immediately surrounding a place : environs

b

: place, locale

4

: boundary

—often used in plural

a ruined tower within the precincts of the squire's grounds

—T. L. Peacock

Synonyms

• area
• arena
• bailiwick
• barony
• business
• circle
• demesne
• department
• discipline
• domain
• element
• fief
• fiefdom
• field
• firmament
• front
• game
• kingdom
• line
• province
• realm
• specialty
• sphere
• terrain
• walk

Examples of precinct in a Sentence

Voting results from several precincts are delayed.

They were taken to the precinct for questioning.

Recent Examples on the Web

Irish remained at the NYPD’s 13th precinct late Tuesday night as police worked to link him to the death of Williams, who was shot in the head at close range sometime after June 23. —Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 10 July 2024

Mail-in ballots should be by request and signature and a copy of the DL should be placed inside the envelope, and paper ballots must be hand-counted at precincts. —Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 9 July 2024

The protester, whose name was not immediately released, turned himself in Wednesday at the Transit District 2 precinct in lower Manhattan and was expected to be released after being issued a desk appearance ticket, according to the New York Police Department. —Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 26 June 2024

Although the majority of voters from precincts in East San Jose voted for Biden in 2020, Trump’s campaign for reelection that year earned him 94% more votes from that region than in 2016, according to a 2020 analysis by The New York Times. —Harriet Blair Rowan, The Mercury News, 6 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

precinct

noun

pre·​cinct ˈprē-ˌsiŋ(k)t 

1

: an administrative district especially of a town or city

a police precinct

an electoral precinct

2

: a surrounding or enclosed area

within the precincts of the college