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

"We are all here, our soldiers are here, the citizens of the country are here. We are all here protecting our independence, our country and we are going to continue to do so."

From BBC

India on Monday joined Sweden, Serbia, Poland and Australia in calling for its citizens to leave Iran.

From Barron's

The hearing comes weeks after federal immigration agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, which led Democrats and some Republicans to question the quality of the training of Homeland Security agents.

From The Wall Street Journal

U.S. citizens stuck in Mexico can contact the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs for help at 202-501-4444.

From MarketWatch

“It’s going to be a no thanks from us,” said Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen in a Facebook post, adding that Greenland provides free healthcare for all citizens.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• inhabitant
• national
• resident
• taxpayer