borough

American  

[bur-oh, buhr-oh] / ˈbɜr oʊ, ˈbʌr oʊ /

noun

1. (in certain states of the U.S.) an incorporated municipality smaller than a city.

2. one of the five administrative divisions of New York City.

3. British.

   1. an urban community incorporated by royal charter, similar to an incorporated city or municipality in the U.S.

   2. a town, area, or constituency represented by a Member of Parliament.

   3. (formerly) a fortified town organized as and having some of the powers of an independent country.

4. (in Alaska) an administrative division similar to a county in other states.

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borough British  

/ ˈbʌrə /

noun

1. a town, esp (in Britain) one that forms the constituency of an MP or that was originally incorporated by royal charter See also burgh

2. any of the 32 constituent divisions that together with the City of London make up Greater London

3. any of the five constituent divisions of New York City

4. (in the US) a self-governing incorporated municipality

5. (in medieval England) a fortified town or village or a fort

6. (in New Zealand) a small municipality with a governing body

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Etymology

Origin of borough

before 900; Middle English burw ( e ), borwg ( h ), borogh, bor ( u ) g, bur ( u ) g, burgh town, Old English burg fortified town; cognate with Old Norse borg, Old Saxon, Dutch burg, German Burg castle, Gothic baurgs city; MIr brí, brig, Welsh, Breton bre hill, Avestan bərəz- height; akin to Armenian bardzr, Hittite parkus high. See barrow ².

Explanation

A borough is a town that has its own government. It also can be a part of a big city that has powers of self-government. Manhattan is just one of the five boroughs that make up New York City. When a borough is part of a big city, it represents a more formal division than just a neighborhood. It’s a separate town, often one that has its own government. When you move from one borough to another, you might notice different tax rates or different parking regulations. In England the word often refers to a town that has a representative in Parliament. Pronounce the second syllable in borough with a long “o” sound, like the donkey (burro).

Example Sentences

In April, Bresnahan announced the launch of the coalition and that it would be chaired by two local politicians, former Nanticoke mayor and current City Council President Joseph Dougherty and Jessup Borough Councilman Jeff Castellani.

From Salon • May 6, 2026

Swale Borough Council and Kent County Council - which also covers the area - are in debt and need to balance their books by increasing charges and cutting services.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

A petition for the Crown Estate, Government and Swale Borough Council to pay to clean the beaches has collected more than 32,000 signatures.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who had sharply criticized the flag’s removal, commended news of the agreement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

He would have told me the story of the Sixth Borough, from the voice in the can at the end to the beginning, from “I love you” to “Once upon a time...”

From "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer

Related Words

• district
• precinct