citizenship

[sit-uh-zuhn-ship, -suhn-]

noun

1. the state of being vested with the rights, privileges, and duties of a citizen.

2. the character of an individual viewed as a member of society; behavior in terms of the duties, obligations, and functions of a citizen.

   an award for good citizenship.

citizenship

/ ˈsɪtɪzənˌʃɪp /

noun

1. the condition or status of a citizen, with its rights and duties

2. a person's conduct as a citizen

   an award for good citizenship

Word History and Origins

Origin of citizenship¹

First recorded in 1605–15; citizen + -ship

Example Sentences

The move by then-President Reagan to grant amnesty, giving legal status and a path to citizenship to many immigrants lacking authorization, helped pave the way for a booming fashion economy, she said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"On my tour I am hearing people talk about their concern that the hard-won gains over the years of safeguarding citizenship may be lost as a result of this type of rhetoric," he added.

Read more on BBC

The Chicago-born clergyman, who spent nearly 20 years as a missionary in Peru and eventually obtained citizenship, took the name Leo XIV.

Read more on Barron's

Since there was no definition of national citizenship until the 14th Amendment, ratified after the Civil War, people were citizens of a particular state, which is what made them citizens of the U.S.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I plan to apply for Portuguese citizenship, though I still consider myself an American and always will.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• autonomy 
• democracy 
• emancipation 
• exemption 
• immunity 
• liberation 
• privilege 
• release 
• relief 
• self-determination 
• self-government 
• sovereignty