Suburbs: meaning, definitions and examples

Commonly used to describe residential areas or neighborhoods that lie on the outer edges of a city or town. These areas typically have their own local amenities and are less densely populated compared to the city center.

• They decided to move to the suburbs for a quieter life.
• The suburbs offer more space and green areas.

Used to denote the outer edges or fringes of a city or town. This term often implies areas that are less developed or less populated than the central areas.

• They built their house on the outskirts of the city.
• Factories are usually located on the outskirts.

Primarily used in formal or technical contexts to describe the outer limits or boundary of an area. It can be used for both urban and non-urban settings but suggests being on the edge of an area.

• New developments are planned for the periphery of the town.
• The wildlife reserve is located on the periphery of the city.

Refers to a residential area where most people commute to work in a nearby city rather than work locally. This term emphasizes that people mainly sleep there and spend their main time working elsewhere.

• It's a bedroom community with most people heading to the city for work each morning.
• This small town is a bedroom community for the big city nearby.