Meanings
plural barangays · alternative Brgy.
- PhilippinesThe smallest local government unit in the Philippines, a subdivision of a city or municipality.
The victim is always addressed as the "datu" or rich man of their Barangay and enjoyed an economic ascendancy over Marcelino, a mere barangay tanod.
2021, Deogenes Nambayan Agellon, Criminal Law Case Digests2 more examples
Because of this active involvement of the civilian and other auxiliary units (e.g. barangay tanod), the police are able to devote their time and resources to the control and prevention of serious crimes.
1987, Marcelo M. Orense, Nelia R. Marquez, Philippine Yearbook, page 77The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) shall establish and administer an appropriate system under which the punong barangay, the members of the sangguniang barangay, the barangay secretary, the barangay treasurer, and the members of the brangay tanod shall enjoy insurance coverage as provided in this Code and other pertinent laws.
1991 October 28, “Miscellaneous and Final Provisions”, in Official Gazette: Republic of the Philippines, volume 87, number 43, page 263Synonyms: barrio
- PhilippinesalternativerareAlternative form of balangay (“a type of boat”).
Synonyms & antonyms
nounThe smallest local government unit in the Philippines, a subdivision of a city or municipality.
Origin
- Tagalogbalangay
- Philippine Spanishbarangay
- Englishbarangay
Borrowed from Philippine Spanish barangay, from Tagalog balangay.
More words from Philippine Spanish, Tagalog
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Japanese バランガイ
- バランガイsmallest local government unit
Cite this entry
barangay. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/barangay
“barangay.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/barangay. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “barangay,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/barangay.
Source: barangay on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.