First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
borough
noun bor·ough \ˈbər-(ˌ)ō, ˈbə-(ˌ)rō\
: a village, town, or part of a large city that has its own government
: one of the five main sections of New York City
Full Definition of BOROUGH
1
a : a medieval fortified group of houses forming a town with special duties and privileges b : a town or urban constituency in Great Britain that sends a member to Parliament c : an urban area in Great Britain incorporated for purposes of self-government
2
a : a municipal corporation proper in some states (as New Jersey and Minnesota) corresponding to the incorporated town or village of the other states b : one of the five constituent political divisions of New York City
3
: a civil division of the state of Alaska corresponding to a county in most other states
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Origin of BOROUGH
Middle English burgh, from Old English burg fortified town; akin to Old High German burg fortified place, and probably to Old English beorg hill — more at barrow
Other Government and Politics Terms
BOROUGH Defined for Kids
borough
noun bor·ough \ˈbər-ō\
Definition of BOROUGH for Kids
1
: a town, village, or part of a large city that has its own government
2
: one of the five political divisions of New York City
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