town hall

American  

noun

1. a hall or building belonging to a town, used for the transaction of the town's business and often also as a place of public assembly.

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town hall British  

noun

1. the chief building in which municipal business is transacted, often with a hall for public meetings

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Etymology

Origin of town hall

First recorded in 1475–85

Example Sentences

“You are the people power that it takes,” he told a crowd of supporters at a recent “Fighting for the California Dream” town hall in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

Mooresville resident Mikayla Hamilton, 23, finds much about the episode baffling, including Carney’s decision to go to town hall rather than head home.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

That night, Swalwell attended the Sacramento town hall, his last public event.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Some residents are hopeful that a Tuesday evening town hall meeting will shed more light on the project, which they say was unexpected.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

She had joined them two weeks ago, in the town hall, sewing singlets and towels for the soldiers.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• city center
• courthouse
• town house