township

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noun town·ship \ˈtau̇n-ˌship\

Definition of township

1a : town 5b : a unit of local government in some northeastern and north central states usually having a chief administrative officer or boardc : an unorganized subdivision of the county in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermontd : an electoral and administrative district of the county in the southern U.S.
2 : a division of territory in surveys of U.S. public land containing 36 sections or 36 square miles
3 : an area in the Republic of South Africa that was segregated under apartheid for occupation by persons of non-European descent
4 : an ancient unit of administration in England identical in area with or a division of a parish

See township defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of township from the Web

Employees also made signs and campaign letters while at work, stored decorative items for fundraisers at township offices and set up for events on work time, according to prosecutors.

— becky jacobs, Post-Tribune, "Attorneys prep for start of Calumet Township Trustee trial Monday", 2 June 2017
Leaders of the township will go through training on federal religious-freedom law.

— emma green, The Atlantic, "Basking Ridge Will Get Its Mosque", 30 May 2017
The complaint also alleged that while the Islamic society's application was pending, the township revised its zoning code so the Islamic society application couldn't meet the requirements.

— chris boyette, CNN, "New Jersey town to pay $3.25 million in lawsuit over mosque", 30 May 2017
Township planners had concluded that because Friday afternoon was considered peak worship time, congregants would most likely be arriving straight from work and would each need a parking space.

— CBS News, "New Jersey town that denied mosque permit to pay Islamic group $3.25 million", 30 May 2017
Township planners had concluded that because Friday afternoon was considered peak worship time, congregants would most likely be arriving straight from work and would each need a parking space.

— Washington Post, "Town that denied mosque permit to pay Islamic group $3.25M", 30 May 2017
Because the group covers all of DuPage County, newcomers often learn about the group through their township Republican organization, Hilger said.

— erin hegarty, Naperville Sun, "A wave of activism has hit Naperville. Political groups from both sides report surge in membership", 27 May 2017
St. Charles Township Supervisor John Anderson suggested placing unclaimed remains in an empty unused tomb that had been donated to the township.

— gloria casas, Elgin Courier-News, "Kane County buries unclaimed remains in St. Charles Township cemetery", 25 May 2017
In the townships of Johannesburg a dangerous game is being played.

— brendan seibel, WIRED, "The Crazy Train Surfers Who Flirt With Death for Sport", 1 May 2014

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

First Known Use of township

12th century

TOWNSHIP Defined for English Language Learners

township

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noun

Definition of township for English Language Learners

: a unit of local government in the U.S.

TOWNSHIP Defined for Kids

township

play

noun town·ship \ˈtau̇n-ˌship\

Definition of township for Students

1 : a unit of local government in some northeastern and north central states
2 : a division of territory in surveys of United States public lands containing 36 square miles (about 93 square kilometers)