a municipal and parliamentary borough and market-town of England, county of Wilts, on the Kennet and Avon Canal, 22 miles N. by W. of Salisbury. It is situated on an eminence near the N. limit of the Salisbury plain, and consists of several wide and well paved streets diverging from the market-place, in which is a large cross erected in 1815. It has two ancient parish churches, partly in the Roman and partly in the perpendicular style of architecture, with some curious monuments. There are dissenting places of worship belonging to the Presbyterians, Methodists, Independents, Quakers, &c.; a charity school; national and infant schools; savings-bank; and dispensary. The town-hall is a handsome modern building with a circular front and Ionic pillars. On the basement floor of this edifice a cheese-market is held. Devizes has also a large county jail, a union workhouse, and manufactures of silk, snuff, and malt. The market is held on Thursday, and is one of the largest in the west of England for corn. The town is divided into two wards, and is governed by a mayor, 6 aldermen, and 18 councillors. It returns two members to parliament. Pop. (1851) 6554.