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
Phrases
on the town
: in usually carefree pursuit of entertainment or amusement (such as city nightlife) especially as a relief from routine

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
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.
That December saw the launch of an Air Algerie flight between Paris and the oasis town of Djanet. Angela Dansby, CNN Money, 14 May 2025 Listen to this article WASHINGTON — Israel Vail’s entire life in the small western Guatemalan town of Cajolá is built off the money that his three children send home from the United States. Fatima Hussein, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025 In the final episode, the 171-year-old vampire — who was forever stuck in a 17-year-old’s body — sacrificed himself in order to stop the fictional town of Mystic Falls, Va., from getting destroyed by hellfire. Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 14 May 2025 Located in the Czech town of Brnenec, nearly 100 miles southeast of Prague, the Museum of Survivors held its grand opening on May 10, just after the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end in Europe on May 8, 1945. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for town

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English tūn enclosure, village, town; akin to Old High German zūn enclosure, Old Irish dún fortress

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 6

Time Traveler
The first known use of town was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Town.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/town. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

town

noun
1
a
: a compactly settled area that is usually larger than a village but smaller than a city
2
: the people of a town
town adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on town

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