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

He said Nevada was on edge about how it handles citizens’ data after suffering a cyberattack.

From The Wall Street Journal

The father of six also directed several socially conscious documentaries about the situation of Palestinian citizens of Israel.

From Barron's

One of the people is Thierry Breton, a French citizen who served as the EU’s internal market commissioner until last year, said Sarah Rogers, the undersecretary for public diplomacy.

From The Wall Street Journal

However, it is reported the suspect was a Portuguese citizen.

From BBC

"We've put a security plan in place that includes several districts and areas in the capital, in order to ensure the safety of all citizens," he said on condition of anonymity.

From Barron's

Related Words

• inhabitant
• national
• resident
• taxpayer