Definition

1. Noun:
   • A meeting of the inhabitants of a town: An assembly where residents of a town gather to discuss and decide on local matters.
   • Government of a town by an assembly of the qualified voters: A form of local governance where eligible voters convene as a legislative body to make decisions for the town.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The annual town meeting will be held next Tuesday to vote on the new school budget.
  • Citizens voiced their concerns about property taxes during the lively town meeting.

Advanced Usage

• "Open town meeting": A form of town meeting where all registered voters of the town are eligible to participate, deliberate, and vote.

  • The small New England community still operates via an open town meeting.

• "Representative town meeting": A form of town meeting where elected representatives, rather than the entire electorate, vote on town affairs.

  • Due to its larger population, the city adopted a representative town meeting system.

Variants and Related Words

• Town hall meeting: Often used synonymously, though it can sometimes imply a less formal, informational gathering hosted by officials.
  • The senator held a town hall meeting to hear from constituents.

Synonyms

• Public forum: A meeting open to the public for discussion.
• Assembly: A group of people gathered for a specific purpose.

Related Phrases

• To call a town meeting: To formally announce and convene such a gathering.

  • The selectboard voted to call a town meeting to address the emergency.

• Warrant for town meeting: The official document listing the items to be discussed and voted on.

  • The proposed zoning changes are Article 3 on the warrant for the town meeting.

Noun

1. a meeting of the inhabitants of a town
2. government of a town by an assembly of the qualified voters