Origin: Latin prefix sub-
Suburb has 2 different meanings across 1 category:
a residential district located on the outskirts of a city
"We drove out to the suburb after work to enjoy some fresh air away from the busy downtown streets."
A residential area located on the outskirts of a city or large town that usually includes businesses that cater to its residents; such as schools, grocery stores, shopping centers, restaurants, convenience stores, etc.
"The new suburb features plenty of family-friendly amenities like a local high school and several chain grocery stores right near the main road."
In plain English: A suburb is a residential area located just outside of a city where most people live in houses rather than apartments.
"Many families choose to live in the suburbs because there is more space for their children's playgrounds."
Usage: A suburb is primarily defined by its function as a residential community surrounding a central city rather than just any outlying neighborhood. While often used interchangeably with "suburbs" in the plural form when discussing housing trends, it refers specifically to individual districts or towns that offer local amenities like schools and shops for their residents.
The word "suburb" comes from the Old French suburbe, which was borrowed from the Latin suburbium. It originally meant a place located just outside or beneath the main city walls, eventually replacing an older English term for the same concept.