town

noun \ ˈtau̇n \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of town

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

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town

adjective

— on the town

: in usually carefree pursuit of entertainment or amusement (such as city nightlife) especially as a relief from routine

See town defined for English-language learners

See town defined for kids

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 of town from the Web

Her undying dedication to this school and town shows her outstanding character and loyalty to the teachers and students of Natchaug School.

— courant.com, "Muriel Arlene Hinckley," 11 Apr. 2018
Jaish al-Islam – finally agreed to withdraw from the town.

— author: tom perry, dahlia nehme, Anchorage Daily News, "Russia warns that any U.S. missiles fired at Syria will be shot down," 11 Apr. 2018
The lake, some nine miles long, is anchored by three towns, each with a cluster of shops, restaurants, and lodgings.

— diane bair, BostonGlobe.com, "Sunapee is celebrating its 250th anniversary — and here’s how you can join the fun," 11 Apr. 2018
Various times Saturday, April 14-Saturday, April 21; venues across town; individual event prices vary; designweekportland.com Missed last year’s Northwest Filmmakers Festival?

— OregonLive.com, "Wizard World and 9 other Portland events for the week ahead," 11 Apr. 2018
The Mezcal + Mole package from this sustainability-minded tour agency takes guests into the hillside towns surrounding Oaxaca, Mexico, for quality time with local chefs, agave farmers, and artisans.

— ashlea halpern, The Cut, "12 Epic, All-Inclusive Honeymoon Itineraries," 11 Apr. 2018
Raymond oversees one of the most serious whiskey programs in town at Reserve 101.

— greg morago, Houston Chronicle, "First look: The Cottonmouth Club," 11 Apr. 2018
Webster, Joe Duepner and Andrew Dollard received tickets beginning in 2016 in and around the Noblesville town square, where the county courthouse is located.

— john tuohy, Indianapolis Star, "With no chance to contest, Noblesville parking tickets unconstitutional, lawsuit claims," 11 Apr. 2018
The Mississippi native was visiting her husband, who works in the Florida town.

— grace gavilanes, PEOPLE.com, "The Weirdest Places Real Moms Have Given Birth, from a Walmart Parking Lot to a Wendy's," 10 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'town.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.