village

noun

vil·​lage ˈvi-lij How to pronounce village (audio)
often attributive
1
a
: a settlement usually larger than a hamlet and smaller than a town
b
: an incorporated minor municipality
2
: the residents of a village
3
: something (such as an aggregation of burrows or nests) suggesting a village
4
: a territorial area having the status of a village especially as a unit of local government

Examples of village in a Sentence

Entire villages come to see the parade. we stayed in a charming bed-and-breakfast in a lakeside village
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The surge in the village of Ruidoso, New Mexico, follows the deadly flooding in Texas, where authorities recently reported more than 160 people missing in the aftermath of catastrophic storms. Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025 The outlet reported, citing the village’s website, that Rudioso is susceptible to flash flooding due to the mountainous terrain surrounding it and burn scars can make the flooding worse. Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 9 July 2025 Riedel's last village meeting was May 27, Village Administrator Jeremy Smith said. Cathy Kozlowicz, jsonline.com, 9 July 2025 Attendees are encouraged to grab takeout from village restaurants or dine on the outside patios to enjoy these special summer nights. Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for village

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French vilage, from vil manorial estate, farmstead, from Latin villa

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of village was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Village.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/village. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

village

noun
vil·​lage ˈvil-ij How to pronounce village (audio)
1
: a place somewhat smaller than a town
2
: the people living in a village

More from Merriam-Webster on village

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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