Search Dictionary
Definition of motown

motown

/ˈmoʊ.taʊn/
Mo · town
JUMP TO:

motown Lexical Profile

• noun

1

A style of American rhythm-and-blues and soul music with a strong pop influence, originated in Detroit in the late 1950s and 1960s by the Motown record label.

Example

"She grew up listening to classic Motown on her parents' turntable."

2

American An informal nickname for Detroit, the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan, historically celebrated as the center of the American automotive and soul music industries.

• adjective

1

Relating to or characteristic of the soulful pop music style developed by the Motown record label in Detroit during the 1960s.

Example

"The band's new album features a brass section and tight vocal harmonies that evoke a classic Motown sound."

• Nearby Words

motorsailer
motorsport
motorway
motown
mottle
mottled
mottlet rock rattlesnake

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 1950s by record producer Berry Gordy Jr. as a blend of 'motor' and 'town', referencing Detroit's status as the center of the American automobile industry.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Motown. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/motown
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.