prefecture

noun

pre·​fec·​ture ˈprē-ˌfek-chər How to pronounce prefecture (audio)
1
: the office or term of office of a prefect
2
: the official residence of a prefect
3
: the district governed by a prefect
prefectural
ˈprē-ˌfek-chə-rəl How to pronounce prefecture (audio)
pri-ˈfek-
adjective

Examples of prefecture in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Aude prefecture said 1,400 households were still without electricity on Tuesday morning. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 Niigata prefecture has long been known as Japan's snow country. — Adam H. Graham, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Aug. 2026 At least 37 people were injured in five prefectures in the region — 15 in Tokyo, nine in Saitama, eight in Kanagawa, four in Chiba and one in Ibaraki — according to prefectural officials and the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. — Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026 The 34 Buddhist temples scattered through the mountainous western part of Japan's Saitama prefecture are revealing something few visitors ever see this year. — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prefecture

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prefecture was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing prefecture

Rhymes for prefecture

See All Rhymes for prefecture

Browse Nearby Words

prefectural
prefecture
prefecture apostolic
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Cite this Entry

“Prefecture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prefecture. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

prefecture

noun
pre·​fec·​ture ˈprē-ˌfek-chər How to pronounce prefecture (audio)
1
: the office or term of office of a prefect
2
: the district governed by a prefect
prefectural
prē-ˈfek-chə-rəl How to pronounce prefecture (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on prefecture

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prefecture

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