precinct

noun

pre·​cinct ˈprē-ˌsiŋ(k)t 

1

: a part of a territory with definite bounds or functions often established for administrative purposes : district: such as

a

: a subdivision of a county, town, city, or ward for election purposes

b

: a division of a city for police control

2

a

: an enclosure bounded by the walls of a building

—often plural

b

: a sphere of thought, action, or influence

—often plural

3

a

precincts plural : the region immediately surrounding a place : environs

b

: place, locale

4

: boundary

—often plural

… a ruined tower within the precincts of the squire's grounds …

—T. L. Peacock

Synonyms of precinct

• area
• department
• element
• realm
• walk
• field
• domain

Examples of precinct in a Sentence

Voting results from several precincts are delayed.

They were taken to the precinct for questioning.

Recent Examples on the Web

He was attacked from the right for being too radical and from certain precincts of the left for not being radical enough. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Davis was the only Yolo County community to support the switch, with all but two precincts voting in favor. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026

However, there are at least two jurisdictions, Bow Mar in Arapahoe County and the Sterling Ranch in Douglas County, where voters in the same precinct or those receiving the same style of ballot are not uniformly eligible. — Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

The deadly triple shooting occurred during an unusually violent week in the Bronx’s 44th precinct, during which eight people were shot in only seven days. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin praecinctum, from Latin, neuter of praecinctus, past participle of praecingere to gird, encircle, from prae- pre- + cingere to gird — more at cincture

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for precinct

• distinct
• extinct
• hoodwinked
• succinct
• unlinked
• blinked
• clinked
• inked
• kinked
• linked
• tinct
• winked

Kids Definition

precinct

noun

pre·​cinct ˈprē-ˌsiŋ(k)t 

1

: an administrative district especially of a town or city

a police precinct

an electoral precinct

2

: a surrounding or enclosed area

within the precincts of the college