Collins English-English Dictionary

district ['dɪstrɪkt]

1. 1. n an area of land marked off for administrative or other purposes

2. 2. n (as modifier)

   district nurse

3. 3. n a locality separated by geographical attributes; region

4. 4. n any subdivision of any territory, region, etc

5. 5. n (in England from 1974 and in Wales 1974--96) any of the subdivisions of the nonmetropolitan counties that elects a council responsible for local planning, housing, rates, etc - See also metropolitan district

6. 6. n (in Scotland until 1975) a landward division of a county

7. 7. n (in Scotland 1975--96) any of the subdivisions of the regions that elected a council responsible for environmental health services, housing, etc

8. 8. n any of the 26 areas into which Northern Ireland has been divided since 1973. Elected district councils are responsible for environmental health services, etc

9. 9. vt. [tr] to divide into districts

10. 10. vt. [Etymology] C17: from Medieval Latin districtus area of jurisdiction, from Latin distringere to stretch out; see distrain