1
a
: a compactly settled area usually larger than a village but smaller than a city
b
: a compactly settled area as distinguished from surrounding rural territory
c
: a large densely populated urban area : city
d
: an English village having a periodic fair or market
2
: a particular town or city under consideration
the circus came to town
3
: the city or urban life as contrasted with the country
4
a
: the inhabitants of a city or town
practically the whole town turned out for the parade
b
: the townspeople of a college or university town as distinct from the academic community
relations between town and gown
5
: a New England territorial and political unit usually containing under a single town government both rural areas and urban areas not having their own charter of incorporation
also
: a New England community governed by a town meeting
6
dialectal, England
: a cluster or aggregation of houses recognized as a distinct place with a place-name : hamlet
7
: a group of prairie dog burrows
town
adjective
see also:
Examples of town in a Sentence
the town of Jackson, Florida
The nearest shopping mall is two towns away.
The town plans to increase property taxes.
We're heading to town later on.
Recent Examples on the Web
When a body washes ashore in the Long Island vacation town of Amity, police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) tries to close the beaches only to be overruled by the mayor, Vaughn (Murray Hamilton), who fears the loss of tourist revenue.
—
David Faris, TheWeek, 29 Apr. 2026
Across town, Camilla met several high-profile writers — and readers — at a literary event at the library.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Now wild turkeys are a common sight and can be found in all 169 cities and towns throughout Connecticut.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2026
Explore the history of town of Odenton, from railroads, homes and churches to schools, stores, and recreational activities over the past 155 years.
—Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for town
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David Faris, TheWeek, 29 Apr. 2026
Across town, Camilla met several high-profile writers — and readers — at a literary event at the library.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Now wild turkeys are a common sight and can be found in all 169 cities and towns throughout Connecticut.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2026
Explore the history of town of Odenton, from railroads, homes and churches to schools, stores, and recreational activities over the past 155 years.
—Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for town
Cite this Entry
“Town.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/town. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
town
noun1
a
: a compactly settled area that is usually larger than a village but smaller than a city
b
2
: the people of a town
town
adjective
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