preston

preston — noun

1. a city in the county of Lancashire, in north-west England, situated on the River

1.nounB1
Definition

a city in the county of Lancashire, in north-west England, situated on the River Ribble.

Example

Maeve's train from London arrived at Preston station just before noon.

place name as modifier: Preston station

Rodrigo has lived in Preston for three years and works at the local university.

preposition: in + [city name]

Usage Note

As a proper noun, Preston normally does not take an article ("I live in Preston", not "the Preston"). It is not used in comparative or superlative forms and has no plural. The possessive form Preston's is used naturally ("Preston's railway station").

Common Mistakes

She moved to the Preston for her new job.
She moved to Preston for her new job.
place names generally do not take the definite article.
There are two Prestons in England.
There are two cities called Preston in England.
Preston is a singular proper noun and is not pluralised.

Etymology

Old English

From Old English 'prēost' (priest) + 'tūn' (enclosure, settlement; later meaning 'town'), so the name originally meant 'the priest's settlement' or 'priest's farm'. The name is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as 'Prestune'.