Township

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈtaÊŠnʃɪp/

Origin

Old English tunscipe.

Full definition of township

Noun

1. The territory of a town; a subdivision of a county.
2. (South African English, Pre 1994) An area set aside for nonwhite occupation.
3. (South African English, Post 1994) A nonwhite (usually subeconomic) area attached to a city.
• 1972, Daily Dispatch: "In addition, the council has completed the planning of a new Coloured township on the site of the existing African township"

Descendants

• Portuguese:

Related terms

Usage notes

In the U.S., the term "township" refers to a division of a county, and may include one or more towns, villages, hamlets, or small cities. It may also be an administrative district for an unincorporated rural area. The exact nature of a township, and its role in local administration, differs from state to state.