1. A shortening of the nickname "Motor Town," given to Detroit, Michigan, a center of auto manufacturing in the US. We're heading down to Motown for the weekend—want to come?

2. A genre of music featuring elements of rhythm and blues, pop, soul, and gospel popularized by African-American musicians of the Detroit-based record company Motown Records. The name is a trademark. Is there a more universally loved genre than Motown? Put it on at any party and everyone loves it.