borough
Pluralboroughs
- 1An administrative division of a large city, such as one of the boroughs of London or the five boroughs of New York City.
The new library will serve residents across the borough of Camden.
Each London borough sets its own rules for collecting trash and recycling.
UsageDo not confuse it with borrow (to take and give back) or burrow (an animal's hole).
Similardistrict
- 2A town, especially one that has its own municipal corporation and certain traditional rights.
Under its old charter, the borough held a weekly market and chose its own mayor.
As the town grew, its leaders petitioned to become a borough with its own council.
Similartown, municipality
- 3In Alaska, a district of local government whose powers are similar to those of a county.
In Alaska, the borough collects property taxes and runs the schools for the towns within it.
Much of rural Alaska lies outside any organized borough.
Less common meanings
- 4A town with defenses built to protect it from attack.
Note
The meaning the word started from: Old English burh, from a Germanic word for a stronghold. English has let it go, but relatives elsewhere keep the idea of a defended place, among them German Burg and Swedish borg, both words for a castle. At home the old word survives in its doublets burgh, Brough and Bury, the last two familiar from place names.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 8 facts
- Borough derives from Old English burh and ultimately from a Germanic word meaning stronghold. en.wiktionary.org
- The original meaning concerned a fortified settlement. en.wikipedia.org
- German Burg and Swedish borg are cognates of borough. en.wiktionary.org
- German Burg means castle or fortification. en.wiktionary.org
- Swedish borg denotes a fortified residence or castle. sv.wiktionary.org
- Burgh, Brough and Bury are doublets of borough. en.wiktionary.org
- Brough occurs as a place name. en.wiktionary.org
- Bury occurs as a place name derived from the old word for a fort. en.wiktionary.org
- 5An association of men who gave the king pledges or sureties for one another's good behavior.
Practice
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Origin
Proto-Germanic *burgz ("stronghold, city") gave Proto-West Germanic *burg and then Old English burh, burg, which Middle English spelled borwe, borgh, burgh, or buruh. Dutch burcht, German Burg, and Swedish borg are cognates, and Brough, burgh, and Bury are doublets.