a town of the United States of North America, in the state of New York, on a plain on the left bank of the Hudson, 75 miles N. of New York, and 70 S. of Albany. It is regularly built, and contains numerous churches belonging to Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Methodists, Baptists, Roman Catholics, and other denominations; a collegiate school, occupying a large and handsome building, on an eminence; an academy; several girls' schools; and three or four newspaper offices. The principal manufactures of the town are machinery, farm implements, guns, ironware, leather, carpets, cotton goods, flour, and beer. Here is the largest brewery in the United States, producing annually 36,000 barrels of ale; and many of the other establishments are among the most extensive in the country. Many steamers and sailing-vessels are owned at Poughkeepsie. Pop. (1850) 13,944.