# borough

/ˈbɝˌoʊ/ (US) · /bˈʌɹɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/borough
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. city administrative district

noun · CEFR B2

one of the parts that a large city is divided into for local government.

For teachers: an administrative division of a large city, such as London or New York, that manages local services and governance.

- Camden is a famous borough in London known for its markets and music.
- The city is divided into five distinct boroughs, each with its own president and specific administrative responsibilities under the municipal charter.

### 2. self-governing town

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a town that has its own local government and special rights.

For teachers: a town or village that is an incorporated municipality, often possessing a royal charter or specific legal status.

- The small borough held a meeting to discuss the new park rules.
- Historically, the borough was granted the right to hold a weekly market by a royal decree in the fourteenth century.

### 3. Alaska county equivalent

noun · CEFR C2 · American English · Technical

the name for a large area or county in the state of Alaska.

For teachers: a primary administrative division in the state of Alaska, functionally equivalent to a county in other US states.

- The North Slope Borough is the northernmost part of the United States.
- Unlike most other states that use counties, Alaska is partitioned into organized boroughs and one unorganized borough covering the remainder of the territory.

### 4. fortified town

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

an old word for a town with walls or a fort for protection.

For teachers: a fortified town or stronghold; the historical root of the modern administrative term.

- The ancient borough was built on a hill to watch for enemies.
- The suffix '-burgh' in many Scottish place names originates from the medieval borough, which served as a defensive and commercial hub.

## Examples

- The city is divided into five different boroughs.
- Each borough in the city has its own council responsible for local services like trash collection and libraries.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.