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 plural

b

: a sphere of thought, action, or influence

—often plural

3

a

precincts plural : the region immediately surrounding a place : environs

b

: place, locale

4

: boundary

—often plural

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

—T. L. Peacock

Synonyms of precinct

• area
• department
• element
• realm
• walk
• field
• domain

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

Cothiere, a Haitian-American public school educator who is married to Democratic State Representative Wallace Aristide, excelled in precincts located in North Miami and North Miami Beach, where there are significant Haitian communities. — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026

Detroit also had 38 official absentee ballot drop boxes, and on Election Day, 402 precincts opened successfully, the city says. — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

With all precincts reported, Democrats won three key Cabarrus legislative races. — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 4 Nov. 2026

With all precincts votes tallied in preliminary results, Ingle led with 55% of the vote. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2026

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

Rhymes for precinct

• distinct
• extinct
• hoodwinked
• succinct
• unlinked
• blinked
• clinked
• inked
• kinked
• linked
• tinct
• winked

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