prefecture

noun

pre·​fec·​ture ˈprē-ˌfek-chər 

1

: the office or term of office of a prefect

2

: the official residence of a prefect

3

: the district governed by a prefect

prefectural

ˈprē-ˌfek-chə-rəl 

pri-ˈfek-

adjective

Examples of prefecture in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In Miyagi, Akita, and Fukushima prefectures, the number of sightings in April was around four times that of the previous year, the Yomiuri daily reported. —CBS News, 8 May 2026

Emergency services have treated at least 12 people for minor injuries, according to the prefecture. —Niamh Kennedy, CNN Money, 2 May 2026

Often overlooked by international holidaymakers in favor of Heraklion and its archaeological clout, Grecian travellers have long been fans of Chania town’s convivial harbor, a mix of impressive Cretan, Venetian and domed Ottoman architecture, and the wider prefecture’s farmlands. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

Kochi prefecture’s initiative aims to reduce the barriers to finding suitable partners. —Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 22 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing prefecture

• prefecture apostolic

Rhymes for prefecture

• conjecture
• architecture
• lecture

Kids Definition

prefecture

noun

pre·​fec·​ture ˈprē-ˌfek-chər 

1

: the office or term of office of a prefect

2

: the district governed by a prefect

prefectural

prē-ˈfek-chə-rəl 

adjective