What does "precinct" mean?

1. (police district) a specific area of a city that a particular police station is responsible for. 2. (shopping area) a part of a town where cars are not allowed and people go to shop. 3. (voting district) the smallest area used for organizing elections and voting. 4. (enclosed area) the space inside the walls or boundaries of a specific place, like a cathedral.

How do you use "precinct"?

Often used with a number to identify a specific station or area.

precinct

US //ˈpɹiˌsɪŋk// UK //pɹˈiːsɪŋkt// precinct

1 police district (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate American English Law

a specific area of a city that a particular police station is responsible for.

a subdivision of a city under the jurisdiction of a specific police force; also refers to the station house itself.

Example

The officers spent the whole afternoon patrolling the busy streets of the 15th precinct.

Example

Detectives from the neighboring precinct were called in to assist with the investigation due to their expertise in local gang activity.

Usage

Often used with a number to identify a specific station or area.
- district
- sector
2 shopping area (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate British English

a part of a town where cars are not allowed and people go to shop.

a pedestrianised urban area, typically containing a concentration of retail outlets.

Example

The city center has a large shopping precinct with plenty of benches and fountains.

Example

The local council's redevelopment plan involves transforming the derelict market square into a modern, glass-roofed shopping precinct.
- pedestrian zone
- mall

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3 voting district (n.)
C1 Advanced American English Formal

the smallest area used for organizing elections and voting.

the smallest electoral subdivision of a city or county, used for the administration of voting and representation.

Example

You must go to the correct polling place for your precinct to cast your vote.

Example

The redistricting committee faced criticism for redrawing precinct boundaries in a way that appeared to favor the incumbent candidate.
- ward
- district
4 enclosed area (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

the space inside the walls or boundaries of a specific place, like a cathedral.

the space within the defined limits or walls of a particular building or place, often of a religious or official nature.

Example

Visitors are asked to remain quiet while walking within the cathedral precincts.

Example

The university's historic precinct is protected by strict heritage laws that prevent any modern structural modifications to the original stone walls.

Origin

From Middle English precinct, precincte, early 15th century, in sense of “district for government purposes”, from Medieval Latin precinctum, alternative form of praecinctum (“enclosure, boundary line”), neuter singular of praecinctus, perfect passive participle of Latin praecingō (“surround, gird”), from prae (“before”) + cingō (“surround, encircle”), from which also cinch. Cognate to Italian precingere (“to encircle”).