/berr"oh, bur"oh/ , n.
1. (in certain states of the U.S.) an incorporated municipality smaller than a city.
2. one of the five administrative divisions of New York City.
3. Brit.
a. an urban community incorporated by royal charter, similar to an incorporated city or municipality in the U.S.
b. a town, area, or constituency represented by a Member of Parliament.
c. (formerly) a fortified town organized as and having some of the powers of an independent country.
4. (in Alaska) an administrative division similar to a county in other states.
[ bef. 900; ME burw ( e ), borwg ( h ), borogh, bor ( u ) g, bur ( u ) g, burgh town, OE burg fortified town; c. ON borg, OS, D burg, G Burg castle, Goth baurgs city; MIr brí, brig, Welsh, Breton bre hill, Avestan baraz- height; akin to Armenian bardzr, Hittite parkus high. See BARROW 2 . ]