Chinatown

noun

Chi·​na·​town ˈchī-nə-ˌtau̇n How to pronounce Chinatown (audio)
: the Chinese quarter of a city

Examples of Chinatown in a Sentence

We had dinner in Chinatown.
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.
But economic concerns and racist beliefs that the plague would only affect San Francisco’s Asian population in its Chinatown district also fueled efforts to cover up the outbreak. Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025 In Chinatown, expect floats, marching bands and traditional dragon and lion dance teams. Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025 Picture show Leafy Yun Ye At the East Wind Foundation, located in the heart of Los Angeles' Chinatown, many young people dedicate their after-school and weekend hours to practicing the traditional folk art of lion dancing. Brittney Melton, NPR, 4 Feb. 2025 Hall’s imagery is a dreamy parallel to Roman Polanski’s Chinatown nightmare, but contemporary movies lack West’s and Schlesinger’s intelligence. Armond White, National Review, 31 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for Chinatown 

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Chinatown was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near Chinatown

Cite this Entry

“Chinatown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Chinatown. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

Chinatown

noun
Chi·​na·​town ˈchī-nə-ˌtau̇n How to pronounce Chinatown (audio)
: an area of a city where many people of Chinese ancestry live
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!