precinct
noun
pre·cinct
ˈprē-ˌsiŋ(k)t 
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
4
: boundary
—often used in plural
a ruined tower within the precincts of the squire's grounds—
T. L. Peacock
T. L. PeacockExamples 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
Each of the five options show the southern precincts 1 and 2 interlocked in U-shapes, with the northern precincts 3 and 4 relatively unchanged from the current map.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 May 2025
Newsweek reached out to the precinct and Animal Cruelty Division via email on Monday for comment.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
There are other hoops to jump through: I am required to physically check in with several local governmental bodies, police precincts, and National Park offices along the way.
—Ben Ayers, Outside Online, 6 May 2025
The remainder of Serrano’s shift would be spent doing paperwork at the precinct, leaving no bike patrol on duty downtown until Monday morning.
—Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precinct
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Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 May 2025
Newsweek reached out to the precinct and Animal Cruelty Division via email on Monday for comment.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
There are other hoops to jump through: I am required to physically check in with several local governmental bodies, police precincts, and National Park offices along the way.
—Ben Ayers, Outside Online, 6 May 2025
The remainder of Serrano’s shift would be spent doing paperwork at the precinct, leaving no bike patrol on duty downtown until Monday morning.
—Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precinct
Cite this Entry
“Precinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precinct. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
precinct
noun
pre·cinct
ˈprē-ˌsiŋ(k)t
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
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