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 on the town
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
The 13-mile route, taking about seven hours, runs from Cala S’Almúnia, near Santanyí, around the south coast all the way to the harbor town of Colònia de Sant Jordi.
—
Paul Richardson, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2026
From major cities to small towns, oceanfront townhouses to mountain cabins, California offers a wide variety of places to live.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2026
Even in the cold, book readers were out in force around town — on trains, waiting for the Metro, at the gym and walking down the street.
—Nora Krug, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2026
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California Forget Los Angeles—this California town offers a dream setting with its enormous beach, quaint village, and buildings which include Spanish revival landmarks, modest beach bungalows, and a few designed by acclaimed architects.
—Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for town
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Paul Richardson, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2026
From major cities to small towns, oceanfront townhouses to mountain cabins, California offers a wide variety of places to live.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2026
Even in the cold, book readers were out in force around town — on trains, waiting for the Metro, at the gym and walking down the street.
—Nora Krug, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2026
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California Forget Los Angeles—this California town offers a dream setting with its enormous beach, quaint village, and buildings which include Spanish revival landmarks, modest beach bungalows, and a few designed by acclaimed architects.
—Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 15 Feb. 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 18 Feb. 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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