borough

American  

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

noun

boroughs plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• boroughs
  plural

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 these races, Lander and Chevalier defeated incumbent representatives while Valdez defeated the sitting Brooklyn Borough president, Antonio Reynoso, who also enjoyed the support of the outgoing Rep. Nydia Velázquez, D-N.Y.

From Salon • Jun. 26, 2026

The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly finalized the demolition decision in June 2025, leading to the eviction of 13 rental-unit tenants by early this year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 14, 2026

Borough — Located in Minneapolis’ North Loop, Borough occupies a warehouse building that embraces industrial charm with exposed brick, visible pipes and comfortable seating.

From Salon • Jun. 11, 2026

Reform UK's George Finch, 19, the leader of Warwickshire County Council, was voted in as leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council on Wednesday evening.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

I wished the two of us could go somewhere far away, like the Sixth Borough.

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

Related Words

• district
• precinct