town: Meaning and Definition of

town

Pronunciation: (toun), [key]
— n.
  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. (esp. 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.
    1. a village or hamlet in which a periodic market or fair is held.
    2. any village or hamlet.
  10. a farmstead.
  11. The engineers really went to town on those plans.
    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.
  12. a bunch of college kids out 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.
  13. See paint (def. 16).
—adj.
  1. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or belonging to a town: town laws; town government; town constable.

Town

Pronunciation: (toun), [key]
  1. 1784–1844, U.S. architect.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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