Boroughs: meaning, definitions and examples
๐๏ธ
boroughs
[ หbสr.ษ ]
urban geography
A borough is a town or district which is an administrative unit in some countries.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| boroughs |
This word is often used primarily in British English when referring to administrative divisions within large cities or towns. In the United States, it is commonly associated with certain cities like New York, where it denotes one of the main administrative divisions (e.g., Manhattan, Brooklyn).
|
| district |
This term is more general and can be used globally to describe any official area or region within a city, town, or even a country. Districts can be administrative, business, or residential. It is versatile and not specific to one country or form of governance.
|
| township |
Commonly used in the United States, a township represents a type of municipality or subdivision of a county, especially in rural areas. It is less common in urban settings and often implies a smaller, community-focused area.
|
Examples of usage
- There are five boroughs in New York City.
- London is divided into 32 boroughs.
historical
In medieval times, a borough was a fortified town or walled city.
Synonyms
fortified town, walled city.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| boroughs |
Typically used to refer to administrative divisions within a large city, often with their own local government structures and identifiable communities. Common in cities like New York.
|
| fortified town |
Used to describe a town that has been strengthened with defensive walls, ramparts, or other military fortifications. Often historical and might evoke a sense of old, medieval times.
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| walled city |
Used predominantly to describe a city or town enclosed by walls. Often historical and emphasizes the physical barrier around the settlement.
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Examples of usage
- The borough of Dover dates back to the 9th century.
- Many boroughs in England have ancient city walls.
Translations
Translations of the word "boroughs" in other languages:
๐ต๐น bairros
๐ฎ๐ณ เคจเคเคฐเคชเคพเคฒเคฟเคเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช Bezirke
๐ฎ๐ฉ kecamatan
๐บ๐ฆ ัะฐะนะพะฝะธ
๐ต๐ฑ dzielnice
๐ฏ๐ต ๅบ
๐ซ๐ท arrondissements
๐ช๐ธ barrios
๐น๐ท mahalleler
๐ฐ๐ท ๊ตฌ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุฃุญูุงุก
๐จ๐ฟ mฤstskรฉ ฤรกsti
๐ธ๐ฐ mestskรฉ ฤasti
๐จ๐ณ ๅบ
๐ธ๐ฎ ฤetrti
๐ฎ๐ธ hverfi
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฐัะดะฐะฝะดะฐั
๐ฌ๐ช แ แแแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ rayonlar
๐ฒ๐ฝ barrios
Etymology
The word 'borough' originated from the Old English word 'burh', which meant a fortified town. It has been used in various forms in English since the 9th century. The concept of boroughs as administrative units in cities dates back to medieval times, and the term is commonly used in the United Kingdom and the United States.