PREFECTURE Meaning and
Definition
-
A prefecture is a territorial division or administrative region found in various countries, primarily in East Asia and occasionally in other parts of the world. The term originally derives from the French word préfecture and later adopted by other languages. It typically represents a higher level of governance compared to municipalities or counties, and its functions can vary depending on the country.
In Japan, a prefecture, or "ken" in Japanese, is the highest level of local government and acts as an administrative unit, similar to a state or province. Each prefecture is headed by a governor and is further divided into municipalities, such as cities, towns, and villages, which have their own local governments. Prefectures are responsible for a wide range of administrative tasks, including education, welfare, transport, public safety, and regional development.
In France, a prefecture, or "préfecture" in French, refers to the administrative capital of a department, typically located in the largest city of the region. The prefecture is responsible for representing the central government, overseeing law enforcement, maintaining public order, and implementing national policies at the local level.
The term "prefecture" is also used in other countries, such as South Korea, where it represents a regional administrative division, and in some former French colonies in Africa, where it refers to a local government subdivision. The specific duties and structure of a prefecture may vary from one country to another, but they generally play a significant role in the administration and governance of their respective regions.
-
• The office or jurisdiction of a prefect.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for PREFECTURE *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for PREFECTURE
Etymology of PREFECTURE
The word "prefecture" comes from the Latin word "praefectura", which means "the office or jurisdiction of a prefect". The Latin term, in turn, is derived from the word "praefectus", meaning "one who is in charge" or "a prefect". The term was later adopted into Old French as "prefecture", which finally entered the English language in the late 18th century.
Similar spelling words for PREFECTURE
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
