freedom of the city
Americannoun
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nominal citizenship in a city, conferred as an honor upon important visitors.
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(formerly) official citizenship in a city, conferred upon distinguished nonresidents.
Etymology
Origin of freedom of the city
First recorded in 1765–75
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Earlier this year, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam, proposed that she should receive the freedom of the city, describing her as "one of Dublin's most distinguished cultural figures".
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
He joined the original band members last June to receive the freedom of the city of Birmingham.
From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026
His award comes after the four members of Sabbath - Ozzy, Tony Iommi, Terence "Geezer" Butler and Bill Ward - were given the freedom of the city of Birmingham, back in June.
From BBC ● Dec. 1, 2025
Eddie Howe will be awarded the freedom of the city following Newcastle United's historic Carabao Cup win.
From BBC ● Mar. 18, 2025
A dinner was given in his honor and the freedom of the city was bestowed upon him.
From Dutch and English on the Hudson A Chronicle of Colonial New York by Goodwin, Maud Wilder
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
