n.1 a a large urban area with a name, defined boundaries, and local government, being larger than a village and usu. not created a city. b any densely populated area, esp. as opposed to the country or suburbs. c the people of a town (the whole town knows of it).
2 a Brit. London or the chief city or town in one's neighbourhood (went up to town). b the central business or shopping area in a neighbourhood (just going into town).
3 the permanent residents of a university town as distinct from the members of the university (cf. GOWN).
4 US TOWNSHIP 2.
Phrases and idioms:
go to town colloq. act or work with energy or enthusiasm. on the town colloq. enjoying the entertainments, esp. the night-life, of a town; celebrating. town clerk
1. US & hist. the officer of the corporation of a town in charge of records etc.
2 Brit. hist. the secretary and legal adviser of a town corporation until 1974. town council the elective governing body in a municipality. town councillor an elected member of this. town crier see CRIER. town gas manufactured gas for domestic and commercial use. town hall a building for the administration of local government, having public meeting rooms etc.
town house
1. a town residence, esp. of a person with a house in the country.
2 a terrace house, esp. of a stylish modern type.
3 a house in a planned group in a town.
4 Brit. a town hall. town-major hist. the chief executive officer in a garrison town or fortress. town mayor Brit. the chairman of a town council. town meeting US a meeting of the voters of a town for the transaction of public business. town planning the planning of the construction and growth of towns.
Derivatives:
townish adj. townless adj. townlet n. townward adj. & adv. townwards adv.
Etymology: OE tun enclosure f. Gmc