gemeente

Dutch

Etymology

From Middle Dutch gemeende, from Old Dutch *gimēnitha, from Proto-Germanic *gamainiz + *-iþō. Corresponds to gemeen +‎ -te.

Pronunciation

• Audio:

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Noun

gemeente f (plural gemeenten or gemeentes, diminutive gemeentetje n)

1. municipality, commune
2. congregation

Usage notes

In the Netherlands and Belgium, a municipality (gemeente) is part of a province (provincie), and is analogous to a county. Villages and small towns in a municipality are called dorpen or plaatsen. Larger towns and cities are called steden.

Derived terms

• gemeentebestuur (“local government”)
• gemeentehuis (“town hall”)
• gemeentelijk (“municipal”)
• gemeenteraad (“municipal council”)

Related terms

• gemeenschap (= community)

Descendants

• → Indonesian: geminte