town
TOWN
Town (noun) means a populated area with its own local government, shops, and services, generally smaller than a city. Example: “They grew up in a small town in the countryside.”
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."
"The town has a market, a library and a small railway station."
"Our town is quiet, but everyone knows their neighbours."
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."
"The car park in town is always full on Saturdays."
"She works in a shop right in the middle of town."
3
The people who live in a place, especially a place near a university (as distinct from students and staff).
"The university opened its library to the town on Saturday mornings."
"Local shops depend on both the town and the students for business."
"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
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Word forms
- Plural
- towns
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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."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for town
See all rhymes for town →Frequently asked questions
What does “town” mean?
The word “town” means a populated area with its own local government, shops, and services, generally smaller than a city. In plain terms, a settlement bigger than a village but smaller than a city, or loosely, the main built-up area of a place.
How do you pronounce “town”?
“Town” is pronounced TOWN (/ˈtaʊ̯n/ in IPA).
How do you use “town” in a sentence?
Here is “town” used in a sentence: “They grew up in a small town in the countryside.”
What part of speech is “town”?
“Town” is a noun.
Where does the word “town” come from?
The word “town” comes from Old English. From Old English tūn, originally meaning "an enclosure" or "fenced homestead," borrowed long before that from a Celtic word for "stronghold.".
Is “town” a common word?
“Town” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “town” have?
“Town” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a populated area with its own local government, shops, and services, generally smaller than a city.
What is the difference between a town and a city?
Size and status are the main differences. A city is larger and more important, and in many countries holds official city status, sometimes tied to a cathedral or a royal charter. A town is smaller, with its own shops, services, and local government, but without that formal city rank.
What is the difference between a town and a village?
A town is bigger and better served than a village. It has its own local government, a range of shops, schools, and services, and a larger population. A village is a small rural settlement with few facilities, often just a handful of houses, a shop, and perhaps a church or pub.
What makes a place a town?
Broadly, a town is a populated place large enough to support its own local government and a cluster of shops and services, yet smaller than a city. Exact definitions vary by country — some use population thresholds, others historic charters — so the dividing line is not always sharp.
What is an example of a town?
A typical town has a high street with shops, a market or town square, schools, a doctor's surgery, and a local council, serving the surrounding area and villages. It is the kind of place that is clearly more than a village but does not have the scale of a city.
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