precinct

noun

pre·​cinct ˈprē-ˌsiŋ(k)t How to pronounce precinct (audio)
1
: a part of a territory with definite bounds or functions often established for administrative purposes : district: such as
a
: a subdivision of a county, town, city, or ward for election purposes
b
: a division of a city for police control
2
a
: an enclosure bounded by the walls of a building
often used in plural
b
: a sphere of thought, action, or influence
often used in plural
3
a
precincts plural : the region immediately surrounding a place : environs
b
4
: boundary
often used in plural
a ruined tower within the precincts of the squire's groundsT. L. Peacock

Examples of precinct in a Sentence

Voting results from several precincts are delayed. They were taken to the precinct for questioning.
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.
Officers also arrested one juvenile for obstruction, who was released from the precinct. Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 May 2025 While defending her precinct against members of a local terrorist group, GBI Deputy Director Amanda Wagner (played by original cast member Sonja Sohn) took a bullet to the sternum. Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 18 May 2025 Tarrant County commissioners adopted new precinct boundaries Tuesday, likely giving the five-member court an additional Republican seat. Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 June 2025 With 100 percent of precincts reporting and more than 12,000 votes tallied, The Athletic is ready to call the MLB All-Quarter Century Team for the following players who have dominated the 2000s: Jose Altuve. Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for precinct

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin praecinctum, from Latin, neuter of praecinctus, past participle of praecingere to gird, encircle, from prae- pre- + cingere to gird — more at cincture

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of precinct was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Precinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precinct. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

precinct

noun
pre·​cinct ˈprē-ˌsiŋ(k)t How to pronounce precinct (audio)
1
: an administrative district especially of a town or city
a police precinct
an electoral precinct
2
: a surrounding or enclosed area
within the precincts of the college

More from Merriam-Webster on precinct

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!