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

Three flavors of investigators combine here: the citizen detective, the private detective and the police detective.

From Los Angeles Times

With challengers unable to reach voters, and citizen groups unable to speak, the advantages of incumbent politicians, who can command media attention without paid advertising, would have grown even greater.

From The Wall Street Journal

"The citizens of Greenland are nervous about this, because this is not something that we take lightly."

From BBC

The enigmatic tycoon had given up his Chinese nationality to become a Cambodian citizen in 2014.

From BBC

In return, citizens of these three nations get the opportunity to live and work in the US.

From BBC

Related Words

• inhabitant
• national
• resident
• taxpayer