citizen

noun

cit·​i·​zen ˈsi-tə-zən How to pronounce citizen (audio)
also -sən
Synonyms of citizen
1
a
: a native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to protection from it
She was an American citizen but lived most of her life abroad.
b
: a member of a state
2
: an inhabitant of a city or town
especially : one entitled to the rights and privileges of a freeman
3
: a civilian as distinguished from a specialized servant of the state
Soldiers were sent to protect the citizens.
citizenly
ˈsi-tə-zən-lē How to pronounce citizen (audio)
also -sən-
adjective

Synonyms of citizen

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citizen, subject, national mean a person owing allegiance to and entitled to the protection of a sovereign state.

citizen is preferred for one owing allegiance to a state in which sovereign power is retained by the people and sharing in the political rights of those people.

the rights of a free citizen

subject implies allegiance to a personal sovereign such as a monarch.

the king's subjects

national designates one who may claim the protection of a state and applies especially to one living or traveling outside that state.

American nationals working in the Middle East

Examples of citizen in a Sentence

She was a United States citizen but lived most of her life abroad. a group of Japanese citizens
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Harry and Meghan are returning to the UK as private citizens and will not be resuming any official duties on behalf of King Charles III. — Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026 Nepal’s Tourism Board said that 403 people were missing as a result of the flooding, including 341 foreign nationals and 62 Nepali citizens. — Callum Sutherland, Time, 26 Aug. 2026 Those are issues commissioners will have to wrestle with, said Chapin, the citizens panel co-chair. — Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026 The denial-of-service attacks meant that hackers pushed massive traffic toward the agency in order to block services, including one that enables citizens to use one login across multiple public services. — ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for citizen

Word History

Etymology

Middle English citizein, from Anglo-French citezein, alteration of citeien, from cité city

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of citizen was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing citizen

Rhymes for citizen

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Browse Nearby Words

Citigradae
citizen
citizen's arrest
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Citizen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/citizen. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

citizen

noun
cit·​i·​zen ˈsit-ə-zən How to pronounce citizen (audio)
1
: a person who lives in a city or town
2
a
: a member of a state
b
: a person who owes allegiance to a government and is protected by it
Etymology

Middle English citizein, "citizen, resident of a town," derived from early French citeien (same meaning), from cité "town," derived from Latin civitas "state of being a resident of a town, citizenship," from civis "citizen" — related to city, civil

Legal Definition

citizen

noun
cit·​i·​zen
1
: a native or naturalized individual who owes allegiance to a government (as of a state or nation) and is entitled to the enjoyment of governmental protection and to the exercise of civil rights see also Scott v. Sandford compare resident

Note: Under the Fourteenth Amendment, “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.” A person born outside of the U.S. to parents who were born or naturalized in the U.S. is also a citizen of the U.S. A corporation is not considered a citizen for purposes of the privileges and immunities clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. A corporation is, however, deemed a citizen of the state in which it is incorporated or has its principal place of business for purposes of diversity jurisdiction.

2
: a resident of a town or state who is also a U.S. native or was naturalized in the U.S.
Etymology

Anglo-French citezein, alteration of Old French citeien, from cité city

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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