plural cities
often attributive
1
a
: an inhabited place of greater size, population, or importance than a town or village
We spent the weekend in the city.
b
: an incorporated British town usually of major size or importance having the status of an episcopal see
c capitalized
(1)
: the financial district of London
(2)
: the influential financial interests of the British economy
d
: a usually large or important municipality in the U.S. governed under a charter granted by the state
e
: an incorporated municipal unit of the highest class in Canada
2
3
: the people of a city
The city rebelled against the oppressive government.
4
slang : a thing, event, or situation that is strongly characterized by a specified quintessential feature or quality
The movie was shoot-out city.
Getting lost in the maze was panic city.

Examples of city in a Sentence

major cities like London, Tokyo, and Rome The city is working to make the streets safer. a lawsuit against the city
Recent Examples on the Web The Cincinnati Fire Department has not responded to the lawsuit, but a city spokeswoman issued a statement Tuesday. Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 13 Mar. 2024 Proposition 478 asks voters to approve a new city growth blueprint called General Plan 2050. The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024 The reimbursement losses range from hundreds of thousands to hundreds of millions: $114 million for San Francisco city and county, $22 million for Ventura County and $200,000 for Madera County. Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 The structure, which now houses the Smithsonian’s American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, occupies an entire city block. Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2024 Reached by phone Tuesday, the Denver city attorney representing Buschy named David Murphy declined to comment. Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 In the race for city attorney, Chief Deputy City Attorney Heather Ferbert widened her lead Monday over Assemblymember Brian Maienschein in the two-candidate race. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2024 Mester pointed to the ongoing expansion at the Baird Center, the former Wisconsin Center, as one emerging city attraction that could further draw travelers with its ability to host large conventions. David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024 In the northwest Georgia city of Rome, Trump — now the presumptive GOP nominee after former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley exited the race last week — conjured an apocalyptic vision of a nation under siege from invading migrants and economic blight. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'city.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English citie large or small town, from Anglo-French cité, from Medieval Latin civitat-, civitas, from Latin, citizenship, state, city of Rome, from civis citizen — more at hind

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of city was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near city

Cite this Entry

“City.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/city. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

city

noun
plural cities
1
: a place in which people live that is larger or more important than a town
2
: the people of a city
Etymology

Middle English citie "large or small town," from early French cité (same meaning), derived from Latin civitas "state of being a resident of a town, citizenship," from civis "citizen" — related to citizen, civil

More from Merriam-Webster on city

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