citizen

American  

[sit-uh-zuhn, -suhn] / ˈsɪt ə zən, -sən /

noun

1. a native or naturalized member of a state or nation who owes allegiance to its government and is entitled to its protection (alien ).

2. an inhabitant of a city or town, especially one entitled to its privileges or franchises.

3. an inhabitant, or denizen.

   The deer is a citizen of our woods.

4. a civilian, as distinguished from a soldier, police officer, etc.

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citizen British  

/ ˈsɪtɪzən, -ˌnɛs, ˈsɪtɪzənɪs /

noun

1. a native registered or naturalized member of a state, nation, or other political community Compare alien

2. an inhabitant of a city or town

3. a native or inhabitant of any place

4. a civilian, as opposed to a soldier, public official, etc

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Other Word Forms

• citizeness noun
• citizenly adjective
• noncitizen noun
• uncitizenly adjective
• undercitizen noun

Etymology

Origin of citizen

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English citisein, from Anglo-French citesein, Old French citeain, from cite city + -ain -an; change from citeain to citesein perhaps by association with Anglo-French denzain denizen

Example Sentences

Ng, an Australian citizen, was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison.

From Barron's

"It reminds us that democracy ultimately depends not only on formal rules, but on citizens and institutions willing to defend them."

From BBC

The Kurds had repeatedly urged countries to take back their citizens but most only repatriated a trickle, fearing security threats and a domestic political backlash.

From Barron's

Jens-Frederik Nielsen responded "it's going to be a no thanks from us," and said that Greenland provides free healthcare for all citizens.

From BBC

In an address this week, Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah acknowledged that the devaluation had once again "put the burden on citizens".

From Barron's

Related Words

• inhabitant
• national
• resident
• taxpayer