precinct

A precinct is a territorial subdivision used for administrative, policing, or electoral purposes. The word derives from the Latin praecinctus, meaning enclosed or surrounded, reflecting the idea of a defined, bounded area.

In many jurisdictions, a police precinct is a district within a city or town served by a particular police station. Officers are assigned to patrol and respond to calls within that area, and crime and enforcement data are often reported by precinct.

In electoral contexts, a precinct is the smallest unit of political geography for organizing elections. It designates a polling place, determines who is eligible to vote there, and collects official results by precinct. Boundaries are periodically redrawn through redistricting to reflect population changes and maintain equal representation. In some places, precinct-level organization is also used by political parties, for example in volunteer roles such as precinct captains.

Other uses of the term include an ecclesiastical or campus area closely surrounding a church or university, or a broader administrative district within a country. The precise powers and boundaries of precincts vary by country and local jurisdiction.