Townshend Acts

[ toun-zuhnd ]

plural noun

, American History.

1. acts of the British Parliament in 1767, especially the act that placed duties on tea, paper, lead, paint, etc., imported into the American colonies.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Townshend Acts¹

Named after Charles Townshend (1725–67), English statesman, their sponsor

Example Sentences

Finally, on March 5, 1770, the Townshend Acts were repealed with the exception of the tax on tea: three pence per pound.

From Project Gutenberg

But the very next year Parliament passed what are known in history as the "Townshend Acts," from the man who proposed them.

From Project Gutenberg

In the case of the Townshend Acts, the victory of the colonists was temporarily complete.

From Project Gutenberg

The Townshend Acts revived the old controversy, not quite in the old manner.

From Project Gutenberg