prefecture

 
Pronunciation: /ˈpriːfɛktjʊə/

noun

  • (in certain countries) a district under the authority of a prefect or governor.
  • a prefect’s office or tenure.
  • the official residence or headquarters of a prefect: enraged fans besieged the Prefecture of Police

Derivatives

prefectural

Pronunciation: /prɪˈfɛktʃ(ə)r(ə)l/
adjective

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin praefectura, from praefectus '(person) set in authority over' (see prefect)