a thickly populated area, usually smaller than a city and larger than a village, having fixed boundaries and certain local powers of government.

a densely populated area of considerable size, as a city or borough.

(esp. in New England) a municipal corporation with less elaborate organization and powers than a city.

(in most U.S. states except those of New England) a township.

any urban area, as contrasted with its surrounding countryside.

the inhabitants of a town; townspeople; citizenry.

the particular town or city in mind or referred to

living on the outskirts of town; to be out of town.

a nearby or neighboring city; the chief town or city in a district

I am staying at a friend's apartment in town.

the main business or shopping area in a town or city; downtown.

British .

a village or hamlet in which a periodic market or fair is held.

any village or hamlet.

Scot. a farmstead.

of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or belonging to a town

town laws; town government; town constable.

go to town

Informal .

to be successful.

to do well, efficiently, or speedily

The engineers really went to town on those plans.

to lose restraint or inhibition; overindulge.

on the town

Informal . in quest of entertainment in a city's nightclubs, bars, etc.; out to have a good time

a bunch of college kids out on the town.

supported by the public charity of the state or community; on relief.

paint the town. paint ( def. 16 ) .

noun

apple * , boondocks , borough , burg , city , hamlet , metropolis , municipality , seat , sticks , township , whistle-stopnotes:city first was used for any settlement regardless of size; the modern distinction between town and city developed during the 14th century , bourg , settlement