prefecture

[pree-fek-cher]

noun

1. the office, jurisdiction, territory, or official residence of a prefect.

prefecture

/ ˈpriːfɛkˌtjʊə /

noun

1. the office, position, or area of authority of a prefect

2. the official residence of a prefect in France, Italy, etc

Other Word Forms

• prefectural adjective
• subprefecture noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of prefecture¹

From the Latin word praefectūra, dating back to 1570–80. See prefect, -ure

Example Sentences

An ardent Japanese nationalist, Takaichi was born in Nara, a prefecture famous for the sacred deer that draw thousands of tourists to its principal city each year.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

On the stump, Takaichi talked about “reconsidering” Japan’s immigration policies and in one eye-catching remark said tourists were harming the sacred deer in Nara, a city in her home prefecture that draws many visitors.

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Three people have also been reported missing by their relatives and dozens of homes have been destroyed, the Aude prefecture added.

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In Japan, thousands were woken by tsunami sirens, with waves more than a metre high hitting the Pacific coast, particularly in Iwate prefecture where nearly two million people were told to evacuate.

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For many in Fukushima prefecture, the warning is likely to bring back memories of one of the worst nuclear disasters the world has seen.

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