/ ˈməʊtaʊn; NAmE ˈmoʊ-/ noun
[ U ] a style of music popular in the 1960s and 1970s, produced by a black music company based in Detroit
ORIGIN: From the informal name for the city of Detroit.
For more information see the Cultural Guide
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WORD ORIGIN
1960s: shortening of Motor Town , by association with the car manufacturing industry of Detroit (USA).