Borough
/ˈbʌrə/
nounIntermediateCommonGeneral
Meaning
Questions
Definitions
1
A town or district which is an administrative unit, often within a larger city or county.
/ˈbʌrə/
nounneutralIntermediate
General
Administrative district
The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames is known for its parks.
💡 Simply: A part of a big city, like a smaller city within a city.
More Examples
2
She lives in a borough that’s known for its vibrant arts scene.
How It's Used
Government
"New York City is divided into five boroughs."
Local Politics
"The borough council met to discuss the budget."
From Old English *burh, meaning 'fortified place', 'town', or 'castle'. It evolved through Middle English and developed its current meaning, often referring to a self-governing administrative district.
Historically, 'borough' referred to a fortified town or settlement. Over time, its meaning shifted to its current administrative sense.
Memory tip
Think of a 'burrow' – a borough can be a smaller, self-contained area.
Practice
borroughburroughburough
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written