Main Entry: cit·i·zen

Pronunciation: \ˈsi-tə-zən also -sən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English citizein, from Anglo-French citezein, alteration of citeien, from cité city

Date: 14th century

1 : an inhabitant of a city or town; especially : one entitled to the rights and privileges of a freeman
2 a : a member of a state b : a native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to protection from it
3 : a civilian as distinguished from a specialized servant of the state

— cit·i·zen·ly \-zən-lē also -sən-\ adjective

synonyms citizen, subject, national mean a person owing allegiance to and entitled to the protection of a sovereign state. citizen is preferred for one owing allegiance to a state in which sovereign power is retained by the people and sharing in the political rights of those people <the rights of a free citizen>. subject implies allegiance to a personal sovereign such as a monarch <the king's subjects>. national designates one who may claim the protection of a state and applies especially to one living or traveling outside that state <American nationals working in the Middle East>.