town hall

noun

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of town hall

1 : a public building used for town-government offices and meetings

2 : an event at which a public official or political candidate addresses an audience by answering questions posed by individual members

Town halls have lost some of their spontaneity. The 80 or so undecided voters chosen for Tuesday's event must submit their questions in advance and moderator Candy Crowley of CNN will decide which people to call on.
—Connie Cass

See town hall defined for English-language learners

See town hall defined for kids

Recent Examples of town hall from the Web

Students spoke out during a Monday town hall on the imagery, with some accusing the university of being reluctant to take action.

— dennis romero /, NBC News, "California college fraternity suspended over blackface stunt," 13 Apr. 2018
The budget will include money to add security staff and make buildings safer, Chief Communication Officer Tracy Russ said at a town hall on school safety Tuesday.

— ann doss helms, charlotteobserver, "Money for teacher raises, school safety will be in CMS budget plan, officials say | Charlotte Observer," 11 Apr. 2018
President Richard Englert mentioned the Alpha Center at a recent town hall meeting as one of several ways the school is trying to improve its relationship with the community.

— julia terruso, Philly.com, "Temple neighbors balk at community center 'bribe' in football stadium feud," 9 Apr. 2018
At a town hall meeting Thursday, New York GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik called for his resignation, becoming the third Republican House member to do so.

— ledyard king, USA TODAY, "EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's ethical challenges piling up," 6 Apr. 2018
Pathway for communicationBoth candidates made appearances at a recent town hall meeting for parents hosted by Pearland ISD trustee Mike Floyd at a local restaurant, Spring Creek Barbeque.

— jaimy jones, Houston Chronicle, "Pearland ISD trustee hopefuls focus on communication, students' mental health," 4 Apr. 2018
The consultants also plan to hold a town hall on the report April 18.

— maxine bernstein, OregonLive.com, "Consultants urge Portland police to send officers with enhanced training to more mental health calls," 3 Apr. 2018
Soon thereafter she was invited by ABC News to sit on a panel with President Barack Obama for a town hall on race.

— eric heisig, cleveland.com, "Ex-Warrensville Heights officer says city fired her for viral Facebook video about police shootings," 22 Mar. 2018
San Francisco Supervisor and mayoral candidate Jane Kim speaks during a housing town hall at the Kelly Cullen Community in San Francisco, Calif. on Saturday, March 17, 2018.

— rachel swan, San Francisco Chronicle, "Comments on housing bill disappear from SF candidate Kim’s Facebook page," 19 Mar. 2018

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