Word
township
Phoneticstown·ship, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtaʊnʃɪp/
UK/tˈaʊnʃɪp/
Definitions
01South African residential area
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. in South Africa, an urban area that was originally created for Black, Coloured, or Indian people to live in.
n. in South Africa, an urban residential area historically designated for non-white occupation under apartheid; often remains a distinct socio-economic unit.
“Many people in the township commute to the city centre for work every morning.”
“The government has invested in new infrastructure to improve living conditions within the township, though many residents still face significant economic challenges.”
Usage
Often used in a historical or socio-political context regarding South African urban planning.
02North American land division
C1 · Advanced Countable noun American English · Technical
n. in the US and Canada, a small area of land that is part of a larger county.
n. a unit of local government or a land survey square, typically six miles on each side, used as a subdivision of a county.
“The local township board meets once a month to discuss road repairs.”
“The property is located in a rural township where land use is strictly regulated to preserve the local farming heritage.”
Usage
Common in administrative, legal, and real estate contexts in North America.
03small town
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Dialect
n. in Australia and New Zealand, a very small town.
n. a small town or settlement, often serving as a local hub for a surrounding rural area.
“We stopped at a quiet township to buy petrol and some snacks.”
“The historic township has become a popular destination for tourists seeking to experience the atmosphere of the early gold-mining era.”
Teaching tip
While 'town' is universal, 'township' in Australia specifically implies a very small, often rural, community.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“In interviews Adetshina said she was born in Soweto - the South African township next to Johannesburg - and grew up in Cape Town.” “This makes us confident that our results reflect the full range of communities, from small rural townships to large cities.” Etymology
From Middle English towneship, townschip, tounshipe, tunscipe, from Old English tūnsċipe (“the inhabitants of a town; township”), equivalent to town + -ship.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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