inner city

noun

: the usually older, poorer, and more densely populated central section of a city

inner-city

ˈi-nər-ˈsi-tē 

adjective

Examples of inner city in a Sentence

The mayor is trying to attract new businesses to the inner city.

Recent Examples on the Web

Welcome to this week’s Sick and Shut Down List, with eateries from Miami-Dade to Palm Beach, from the inner city to the mall food court to a country club. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

Initially covering the inner city, it was expanded in August 2023 to cover the capital’s outer boroughs and suburbs. — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

Most Black people in the inner city shop in variety, drug and discount stores. — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 7 July 2026

In Johannesburg’s inner city, entire blocks fell silent as street vendors cleared out and retail shops pulled steel shutters down, conjuring up memories of the 2020 pandemic lockdowns. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 1 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inner city

• intercity
• lubricity
• pugnacity
• rhythmicity
• seismicity
• sphericity
• subcommittee
• tendinitis
• bitty
• ditty
• gritty
• kitty

Kids Definition

inner city

noun

: the usually older and more heavily populated central section of a city

inner-city adjective