The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word TOWNS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
T
O
W
N
S
More clues leading to the result TOWNS
Buddy explains!
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does TOWNS mean?
TOWNS noun- A settlement; an area with residential districts, shops and amenities, and its own local government; especially one larger than a village and smaller than a city.
- Any more urbanized center than the place of reference.
- A rural settlement in which a market was held at least once a week.
- The residents (as opposed to gown: the students, faculty, etc.) of a community which is the site of a university.
- Used to refer to a town or similar entity under discussion.
- A major city, especially one where the speaker is located.
- A municipal organization, such as a corporation, defined by the laws of the entity of which it is a part.
- An enclosure which surrounded the mere homestead or dwelling of the lord of the manor.
- The whole of the land which constituted the domain.
- A collection of houses enclosed by fences or walls.
- A farm or farmstead; also, a court or farmyard.