town

¹ American  

[toun] / taʊn /

noun

1. a thickly populated area, usually smaller than a city and larger than a village, having fixed boundaries and certain local powers of government.

2. a densely populated area of considerable size, as a city or borough.

3. (especially in New England) a municipal corporation with less elaborate organization and powers than a city.

4. (in most U.S. states except those of New England) a township.

5. any urban area, as contrasted with its surrounding countryside.

6. the inhabitants of a town; townspeople; citizenry.

7. the particular town or city in mind or referred to.

   living on the outskirts of town; to be out of town.

8. a nearby or neighboring city; the chief town or city in a district.

   I am staying at a friend's apartment in town.

9. the main business or shopping area in a town or city; downtown.

10. British.

    1. a village or hamlet in which a periodic market or fair is held.

    2. any village or hamlet.

11. Scot. a farmstead.

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adjective

1. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or belonging to a town.

   town laws; town government; town constable.

idioms

1. go to town,

   1. to be successful.

   2. to do well, efficiently, or speedily.

      The engineers really went to town on those plans.

   3. to lose restraint or inhibition; overindulge.

2. paint the town. paint.

3. on the town,

   1. Informal. in quest of entertainment in a city's nightclubs, bars, etc.; out to have a good time.

      a bunch of college kids out on the town.

   2. supported by the public charity of the state or community; on relief.

Town ² American  

[toun] / taʊn /

noun

1. Ithiel 1784–1844, U.S. architect.

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town British  

/ taʊn /

noun

1. 1. a densely populated urban area, typically smaller than a city and larger than a village, having some local powers of government and a fixed boundary

   2. ( as modifier )

      town life

2. a city, borough, or other urban area

3. (in the US) a territorial unit of local government that is smaller than a county; township

4. the nearest town or commercial district

5. London or the chief city of an area

6. the inhabitants of a town

7. the permanent residents of a university town as opposed to the university staff and students Compare gown

8. 1. to make a supreme or unrestricted effort; go all out

   2. informal to lose one's temper

9. seeking out entertainments and amusements

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town More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing town

• all over the place (town)
• ghost town
• go to town
• man about town
• on the town
• one-horse town
• only game in town
• out of town
• paint the town red
• talk of the town

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Related Words

See community.

Other Word Forms

• intertown adjective
• townish adjective
• townless adjective

Etymology

Origin of town

First recorded before 900; Middle English toun, tun, Old English tūn “walled or fenced place, courtyard, farmstead, village”; cognate with Old Norse tūn “homefield,” German Zaun “fence”; akin to Old Irish dún “citadel, fortress” ( see down ³ ( def. ))

Explanation

A town is an area where people live that's bigger than a village and smaller than a city. A town has a specific boundary, a name, and (usually) its own government. A town is essentially a small city. It's got a smaller population and usually has fewer big apartment buildings and more single-family homes. When something or someone is in town, they are visiting your town: "I'm so excited that the circus is in town!" And if you go out on the town, you take advantage of the nightlife in a town or city.

Example Sentences

Hundreds of people descended on a north Wales town this week to watch Oscar-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins during filming.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Together they sketched out the story’s framework: a murder mystery set in a small town replete with shameful secrets and sinister magic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Members, who received “Know Your Rights” cards to distribute to workers, should tell workers to take their breaks on site when ICE agents are in town, the association recommended.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

The town of Chorzów itself was one of the first invaded by German forces at the outset of the conflict in September 1939.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

“Seems like a good idea to freshen things up. Everything around this town is growing and spreading, especially with all the moving-picture business.”

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Related Words

• city
• metropolis
• municipality
• township