town

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the people living in a municipality smaller than a city

   the whole town cheered the team

2. 2
   noun

   an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

   they drive through town on their way to work

3. 3
   noun

   an administrative division of a county

   the town is responsible for snow removal

4. 4
   noun

   A settlement; an area with residential districts, shops and amenities, and its own local government; especially one larger than a village and smaller than a city, historically enclosed by a fence or walls, with total populations ranging from several hundred to more than a hundred thousand (as of the early 21st century)

   This town is really dangerous because these youngsters have Beretta handguns.

5. 5
   noun

   Any more urbanized centre than the place of reference.

   I'll be in Yonkers, then I'm driving into town to see the Knicks at the Garden tonight.

6. 6
   noun

   Used to refer to a town or similar entity under discussion.

   Call me when you get to town.

7. 7
   noun

   A major city, especially one where the speaker is located.

   There's always a business theme, even underlying happy hours. You're never off the clock in this town.

8. 8
   noun

   A townhouse.

   Detached houses always sell faster than towns or semis.

Etymology

From Middle English toun, from Old English tūn (“enclosure, garden”), from Proto-West Germanic *tūn, from Proto-Germanic *tūną (“fence, enclosure”), of Celtic origin, from Proto-Celtic *dūnom, from Proto-Indo-European *dewh₂- (“to finish, come full circle”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian Tuun (“garden”), West Frisian tún (“enclosure, garden”), Dutch tuin (“garden”), German Low German Tuun (“fence”), German Zaun (“fence”), Danish, Swedish and Norwegian tun (“yard”); also archaic Welsh din (“hill”), Irish dún (“fortress”). Doublet of dun. See also -ton and tine (“to enclose”).