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. PeacockSynonyms
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
Police officers escort accused serial killer David Berkowitz (left), known as the Son of Sam, into the 84th precinct station, New York, New York, on Aug. 10, 1977 Getty
The New York Police Department formed a 200-person task force to find the killer.
—CBS News, 28 May 2024
Instead of those million or so voters casting ballots, fewer than 10,000 precinct delegates — the same precinct delegates who had powered Karamo to victory — would meet behind closed doors and select the candidates.
—Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 22 May 2024
The canvass done by the county board involves reviewing and authenticating the final vote totals returned by election workers in each of the county's precincts.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 20 May 2024
Returns from the early voting period, mail-in ballots cast ahead of the election, and almost all of the city’s 295 precincts showed Scott with 50.9% of votes cast to Dixon’s 41.3% — a difference of about 6,200 votes.
—Emily Opilo, Baltimore Sun, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for precinct 
CBS News, 28 May 2024
Instead of those million or so voters casting ballots, fewer than 10,000 precinct delegates — the same precinct delegates who had powered Karamo to victory — would meet behind closed doors and select the candidates.
—Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 22 May 2024
The canvass done by the county board involves reviewing and authenticating the final vote totals returned by election workers in each of the county's precincts.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 20 May 2024
Returns from the early voting period, mail-in ballots cast ahead of the election, and almost all of the city’s 295 precincts showed Scott with 50.9% of votes cast to Dixon’s 41.3% — a difference of about 6,200 votes.
—Emily Opilo, Baltimore Sun, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for precinct
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'precinct.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near precinct
Cite this Entry
“Precinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precinct. Accessed 8 Jun. 2024.
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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