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

On CNN, he described himself as just "another citizen."

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

If you’re not a U.S. citizen, there are a few conditions that apply.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

As a naturalized U.S. citizen, the timing of that trip felt particularly pointed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

Since then, she traveled to Iran four times, disclosing the information in her application last year to become a citizen, Bis said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

On August 14, 1945, the very same day that World War II ended, an American citizen and Soviet spy named Elizabeth Bentley cautiously approached the front door of the FBI offices in New Haven, Connecticut.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

Related Words

• inhabitant
• national
• resident
• taxpayer