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

See Examples For:

borough boroughs

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Dawn Huggins, said Norman Irwin was held in high esteem across the borough and had taken part in many council events over the years.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

A judge later ordered that the case move to a Manhattan court after city lawyers argued that borough was the proper jurisdiction because that is where the rent freeze vote took place.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council, said on Tuesday that the borough had been "shaken" by the "appalling and deeply tragic incident".

From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026

Victor Niederhoffer was born to Arthur and Elaine Niederhoffer in New York’s Brooklyn borough on Dec. 10, 1943.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

He was going to run for Assemblyman from Queens, his home borough, next Election.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Counties in this category include the five boroughs of New York, as well as Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026

Other boroughs, including Kensington and Chelsea—where Harrods is located—said they were unable to provide similar data to Westminster.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

More than two million people across Greater Manchester's 10 boroughs were eligible to vote in the contest but turnout was just under 25%.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

At the same time, rents increased by 10% in both boroughs.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026

It was generally agreed that a coffin-size studio on Avenue D was preferable to living in one of the boroughs.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

Related Words

• district
• precinct