noun
prefecture
PREE-fehkt-shuh
noun
1
A region or administrative division governed by a prefect, especially in countries like Japan or France.
"Osaka is one of Japan's largest prefectures by population."
How to Use Prefecture
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA government region headed by a prefect — used especially to describe Japanese administrative divisions.
Common pairings
Japanese prefecture
prefecture office
local prefecture
Word Forms
prefectures plural
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Osaka is one of Japan's largest _____ by population.
Etymology
From Latin praefectura, formed from prefect plus -ure.