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

But many precincts saw low turnout in the primary, with about sixth of the district’s 748,000 residents casting ballots, Sandhya and Sean reported. —Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024

And even that year had had its warning signs: in New York City, precincts with large numbers of Asian residents saw a 20 percent uptick in turnout, with Trump winning the majority of those newcomers’ votes. —Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024

With no secrecy in how one voted, violence and intimidation became common, particularly in urban precincts. —Jonathan W. White, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024

Each precinct is now supposed to hand count the total number of ballots cast to see if the figure matches the machine count. —Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 14 Oct. 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