precinct
/ˈpriːsɪŋ(k)t
/noun
1 (usually precincts) The area within the walls or perceived boundaries of a particular building or place: a former MP who still works in the precincts of the House...
- Within the castle walls, within the precincts of the castle, that's looked after by the Metropolitan Police.
- Within the Palace's precincts are formal gardens complete with magnificent water terraces, an Italian Garden and the Mermaid Fountain, all of which give the impression that you are in one of the grands chateaux of France or Italy.
- The old corporate office at the Ballard Pier will house the Mumbai zonal office, which is currently within the precincts of the Bombay Stock Exchange.
Synonyms
bounds, boundaries, limits, confines;
surrounding area, environs, surroundings, purlieus, surrounds, neighbourhood, vicinity, locality
1.1An enclosed or clearly defined area of ground around a cathedral, church, or college: the precincts of the abbey church...
- The Rector of Leeds started the races, which were held in the precincts of the parish church in Kirkgate.
- I'm starting to feel I'd like the whole thing kept IN the precincts of my church and OUT of the public sphere.
- This emphasis on Christian vocation beyond the precincts of the church itself and beyond the bounds of the Lutheran Communion has inspired liturgical creativity in many places.
Synonyms
enclosure, close, quadrangle, court, courtyard
informal quad
2British An area in a town designated for specific or restricted use, especially one which is closed to traffic: a pedestrian precinct...
- There is also a possibility that the Jenkin's Lane area will be re-developed as a shopping precinct.
- Traders also hope the re-vamp will see the precinct compete with Bolton town centre and shopping complexes in neighbouring towns.
- ‘If it was in a shopping precinct then fine, but this is right in the middle of a residential area,’ he said.
Synonyms
area, zone, sector, district, section, quarter, region
3North American A district of a city or town as defined for policing purposes.Data collection took place in nine police precincts in Baltimore City between January and August 1995....
- It is difficult to imagine how such small numbers, even when concentrated in particular police precincts, could yield the necessary political clout to force more sensitive policing.
- Dusk fades on the main drag of one of the city's toughest precincts and the cops on duty expect to be busy.
3.1The police station situated in a precinct: at the precinct a desk sergeant ran through her ID...
- After his call had come in, another precinct, closer to his position, had dispatched officers to help him.
- She sounded distressed, and he could almost hear her voice broke slightly as she gave him the address of a police precinct in New York City.
- At police precincts in the city, the names of the 23 officers killed were read aloud.
3.2An electoral district of a city or town served by a single polling station: with 35 per cent of the precincts declaring, he had 51 per cent of the vote...
- At the elementary school, converted into a polling station serving two precincts for the day, it was taking voters an average of one hour to vote.
- Bipartisan negotiations to reorganize electoral precincts for the general elections in April next year are going to kick off within this week.
- He also said a two-vote electoral system should also be adopted and that electoral precincts should be rezoned into smaller ones.
Origin
Late Middle English (denoting an administrative district): from medieval Latin praecinctum, neuter past participle (used as a noun) of praecingere 'encircle', from prae 'before' + cingere 'gird'.
This first described an administrative district; it is from medieval Latin praecinctum, from praecingere ‘encircle’. The term shopping precinct dates from the middle of the 20th century.