ENGLISH
REFERENCE

borough

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈbɝˌoʊ// UK //bˈʌɹɐ// bor·ough Archaic

n. a specific town or a part of a large city that has its own local government. It is a way to divide a big area into smaller pieces to manage them better.

n. an administrative division or unit of local government, typically representing a town or a district within a larger metropolitan area.


SIMPLE

The city is divided into five different boroughs.

CONTEXTUAL

Each borough in the city has its own council responsible for local services like trash collection and libraries.

COMPLEX

While the metropolitan area functions as a single economic entity, each constituent borough maintains distinct zoning laws and historical preservation standards that reflect its unique local heritage.

Origin

From Middle English borwe, borgh, burgh, buruh, from Old English burh, burg, from Proto-West Germanic burg, from Proto-Germanic burgz (“stronghold, city”). Cognate with Dutch burcht, German Burg, Swedish borg, French bourg, Turkish burç. Doublet of Brough, burgh, and Bury.

Usage

Commonly used in the United Kingdom and in specific US cities like New York to denote administrative districts.

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