In South Africa, the terms township and location usually refers to an underdeveloped racially segregated urban area, from the late 19th century until the end of apartheid, were reserved for non-whites, namely Black Africans, Coloureds and Indians. Townships were usually built on the periphery of towns and cities. The term township also has a distinct legal meaning in South Africa's system of land title, which carries no racial connotations.

A township is a form of human settlement or administrative subdivision. Its exact definition varies among countries.