noun
Uncommon
borough
BUH-ruh
Borough (noun) means a town or district with its own local government, especially one of the administrative divisions of a larger city. Example: “Brooklyn is one of the five boroughs of New York City.”
noun
1
A town or district with its own local government, especially one of the administrative divisions of a larger city.
"Brooklyn is one of the five boroughs of New York City."
"The borough council approved the new park last month."
"Each London borough collects its own rubbish and runs its own libraries."
How to use borough
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA town or a self-governing division of a larger city.
UK vs US
In the US it's best known from New York City's five boroughs; in the UK it refers to certain towns and London districts with their own councils.
Common pairings
the five boroughs
borough council
a London borough
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Word forms
- Plural
- boroughs
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Brooklyn is one of the five _____ of New York City.
Etymology
From Old English "burh" ("stronghold, fortified town"), related to German "Burg" and the "-burg"/"-bury" endings found in many town names.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for borough
See all rhymes for borough →Frequently asked questions
What does “borough” mean?
The word “borough” means a town or district with its own local government, especially one of the administrative divisions of a larger city. In plain terms, a town or a self-governing division of a larger city.
How do you pronounce “borough”?
“Borough” is pronounced BUH-ruh (/ˈbʌɹ.oʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “borough” in a sentence?
Here is “borough” used in a sentence: “Brooklyn is one of the five boroughs of New York City.”
What part of speech is “borough”?
“Borough” is a noun.
Where does the word “borough” come from?
The word “borough” comes from Old English. From Old English "burh" ("stronghold, fortified town"), related to German "Burg" and the "-burg"/"-bury" endings found in many town names.
Is “borough” a common word?
“Borough” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a borough and a city?
A borough is a town or district with its own local government, often functioning as one of the administrative divisions of a larger city, while a city is typically a larger, self-contained municipality. New York City, for example, is divided into five boroughs, each with some local governance within the larger city structure.
What is the difference between a borough and a county?
A borough is usually a smaller administrative division, often part of a larger city or urban area, while a county is typically a larger regional unit that may contain multiple towns, cities, or boroughs. The exact relationship depends on the country's system of local government.
Why do some cities use the term borough for their districts?
Some cities use borough to describe districts that have their own local government within the larger city structure, giving each area some administrative identity while remaining part of the whole city.
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