noun
town
TOWN
noun
1
A populated area with its own local government, shops, and services, generally smaller than a city.
"They grew up in a small town in the countryside."
2
The central or main built-up area of a place, as opposed to the suburbs or countryside.
"We're heading into town to do some shopping."
3
The people who live in a place, especially a place near a university (as distinct from students and staff).
"Tensions between town and gown flared during the festival."
How to Use Town
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA settlement bigger than a village but smaller than a city, or loosely, the main built-up area of a place.
Common pairings
go into town
small town
town and gown
out on the town
Word Forms
towns plural
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They grew up in a small _____ in the countryside.
Etymology
From Old English tūn, originally meaning "an enclosure" or "fenced homestead," borrowed long before that from a Celtic word for "stronghold."