Motown

[ moh-toun ]

/ ˈmoʊˌtaʊn /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for Motown on Thesaurus.com

noun

Also called Motown sound . an upbeat, often pop-influenced style of rhythm and blues associated with the city of Detroit and with numerous Black vocalists and vocal groups since the 1950s, characterized by compact, danceable arrangements.

a nickname for Detroit, Michigan.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of Motown

First recorded in 1965–70; from Motown, proprietary name for records released by the Motown Record Corporation of Detroit, Michigan, shortened from Motor Town, in reference to Detroit's major role as a motor vehicle producer

Words nearby Motown

motor vehicle, motor vessel, motor voter law, motorway, mototaxi, Motown, Motril, Motrin, motser, Mott, motte

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Motown in a sentence

Concurrently, she was entrenched in Motown and classic rock by virtue of her singer, songwriter, and guitarist father Ron Daughton’s involvement in a classic rock band.
Baltimore DJ on using music as a bridge to combat discrimination|Tinashe Chingarande|January 26, 2022|Washington Blade
Between the two there was a show in the Theater, UPTOWN, three talented young men dancing and singing to Motown and other music from groups who had sung in the famous New York, Apollo theater.
Blogging my first overseas vacation since COVID|Peter Rosenstein|October 19, 2021|Washington Blade
Similarly, the velvety allure of Nightmare on Wax’s “Typical” transported me into Motown’s heyday.
Tivoli Audio Model One Digital (Gen. 2) review: One and done?|Erin Behan|September 13, 2021|Popular-Science
When the group signed to Motown in 1961, Mcglown left the group and their name was changed to The Supremes.
Mary Wilson, Founding Member Of The Supremes, Has Died At 76|Brande Victorian|February 9, 2021|Essence.com

I wanted to utilize Motown as a platform for other entrepreneurs.
Motown President Ethiopia Habtemariam on Steering the Legendary Label Through the Pandemic|Eben Shapiro|February 7, 2021|Time
I know that Detroit is losing market share in auto sales, but how did they let the Motown sound slip out of their hands?
The Best Albums of 2014|Ted Gioia|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The ambiance is almost asexual as rockabilly and Motown play in the background.
Women, It's Time to Reclaim Our Breasts|Emily Shire|September 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Motown (one would probably say the softest of the four at that point) certainly had reach into the white teenage audience.
Before the Earthquake Hit: When The Beatles Landed in America|Michael Tomasky|January 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The ‘Britain is the new Motown’ award: Why are so many hot young soul and R&B singers coming out of Merrie Olde England?
The Strangest and Most Surprising Recordings of 2013|Ted Gioia|December 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Nobody in their right mind would think of denying Motown residents the right to flee the city in search of a brighter future.
Time to Sell the Family Jewels, Detroit|Nick Gillespie|December 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for Motown

Motown

/ (ˈməʊˌtaʊn) /

noun

trademark music combining rhythm and blues and pop, or gospel rhythms and modern ballad harmony

Word Origin for Motown

C20: from Motown Records of Detroit; from Mo (tor) Town, a nickname for Detroit, Michigan, centre of the US car industry

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012