District

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈdɪstɹɪkt/

Origin

From French district, from Medieval Latin districtus ("a district within which the lord may distrain, also jurisdiction"), from Latin districtus, past participle of distringere ("to draw asunder, compel, distrain"), from dis- ("apart") + stringere ("to draw tight, strain").

Full definition of district

Noun

1. An administrative division of an area.
• 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter Foreword, ‘I understand that the district was considered a sort of sanctuary,’ the Chief was saying. ‘An Alsatia like the ancient one behind the Strand, or the Saffron Hill before the First World War. …’
2. the Soho district of London
3. An area or region marked by some distinguishing feature.the Lake District in Cumbria
4. (UK) An administrative division of a county without the status of a borough.South Oxfordshire District Council

Derived terms

• congressional district
• districthood
• electoral district
• school district

Related terms

• districtual

Verb

1. (transitive) To divide into administrative or other districts.

Derived terms

• redistrict

Adjective

1. (obsolete) rigorous; stringent; harsh
• Foxepunishing with the rod of district severity