Town

English Meaning

Formerly: (a) An inclosure which surrounded the mere homestead or dwelling of the lord of the manor. [Obs.] (b) The whole of the land which constituted the domain. [Obs.] (c) A collection of houses inclosed by fences or walls.

1. A population center that is larger than a village and smaller than a city.
2. A territorial and political unit governed by a town meeting, especially in New England.
3. Informal A city: New York is a big town.
4. Chiefly British A rural village that has a market or fair periodically.
5. The residents of a town: The whole town was upset at the news.
6. An area that is more densely populated or developed than the surrounding area: going into town to shop.
7. The residents of a community in which a university or college is located, as opposed to the students and faculty: a dispute pitting town against gown.
8. A group of prairie dog burrows.
9. on the town Informal In spirited pursuit of the entertainment offered by a town or city.