prefecture

noun

pre·​fec·​ture ˈprē-ˌfek-chər How to pronounce prefecture (audio)
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 adjective

Examples of prefecture in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the study, the team traveled to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park in central Japan’s Nagano prefecture on Honshu Island. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Jan. 2026 Far from the neon lights of Tokyo, temples and shrines of Kyoto and the Osaka street food scene is Okinawa, Japan’s southernmost — and westernmost — prefecture. Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 16 Jan. 2026 Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met with South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung on Tuesday at a summit in Takaichi’s home prefecture of Nara. Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 13 Jan. 2026 The prized fish, which was caught off Oma in northern Aomori prefecture, weighed in at a hefty 536 pounds (243 kilograms). Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prefecture

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prefecture was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Prefecture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prefecture. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

prefecture

noun
pre·​fec·​ture ˈprē-ˌfek-chər How to pronounce prefecture (audio)
1
: the office or term of office of a prefect
2
: the district governed by a prefect
prefectural adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on prefecture

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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