metropolis

American  

[mi-trop-uh-lis] / mɪˈtrɒp ə lɪs /

noun

plural

metropolises

1. any large, busy city.

2. the chief, and sometimes capital, city of a country, state, or region.

3. a central or principal place, as of some activity.

   the music metropolis of France.

4. the mother city or parent state of a colony, especially of an ancient Greek colony.

5. the chief see of an ecclesiastical province.

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metropolis British  

/ mɪˈtrɒpəlɪs /

noun

1. the main city, esp of a country or region; capital

2. a centre of activity

3. the chief see in an ecclesiastical province

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Etymology

Origin of metropolis

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin mētropolis < Greek mētrópolis a mother state or city, equivalent to mētro-, combining form of mḗtēr mother ¹ + pólis -polis, polis

Example Sentences

Tehran's many parks, usually green lungs in a metropolis often choked by pollution, have become refuges since the fighting began.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

Residents described a tense, surreal atmosphere across the metropolis of 17 million people.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 2026

It was in that southern metropolis that the Duterte's built their reputation for being tough on crime, which they have described as necessary to keep people safe and encourage businesses to grow.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

Part of the “gay tax” described in “Money Proud” is what it costs not only to live in a major metropolis, but also to enjoy it.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 9, 2026

In a few more steps the forest opened before them, and off to the left a magnificent metropolis appeared.

From "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster

Related Words

• capital
• downtown
• municipality