township

noun

town·​ship ˈtau̇n-ˌship How to pronounce township (audio)
1
a
: town sense 5
b
: a unit of local government in some northeastern and north central states usually having a chief administrative officer or board
c
: an unorganized subdivision of the county in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont
d
: an electoral and administrative district of the county in the southern U.S.
2
: a division of territory in surveys of U.S. public land containing 36 sections or 36 square miles
3
: an area in the Republic of South Africa that was segregated under apartheid for occupation by persons of non-European descent
4
: an ancient unit of administration in England identical in area with or a division of a parish

Examples of township in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Robinson is the third consecutive township trustee to face federal charges. — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025 This is an issue that the GOP has raised over the last decade, pointing to excessive property taxes to pay for township supervisors and other municipal employees. — Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 19 Feb. 2025 Two days later, the trustees approved a deal where Pioneer would pay the township $390.54 annually, the approximate sum the township would forgo in taxes. — Anna Clark, ProPublica, 18 Feb. 2025 The township said the order will stay in place until the fire is fully under control. — Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for township

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of township was in the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Township.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/township. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

township

noun
town·​ship ˈtau̇n-ˌship How to pronounce township (audio)
1
: a unit of local government in some northeastern and north central states
2
: a division of territory in surveys of U.S. public land containing 36 square miles (about 93 square kilometers)

More from Merriam-Webster on township

Nglish: Translation of township for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about township

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