citizenship

noun

cit·​i·​zen·​ship ˈsi-tə-zən-ˌship How to pronounce citizenship (audio)
also -sən-
1
: the status of being a citizen
He was granted U.S. citizenship.
2
a
: membership in a community (such as a college)
b
: the quality of an individual's response to membership in a community
The students are learning the value of good citizenship.

Examples of citizenship in a Sentence

She applied for Polish citizenship. He was granted U.S. citizenship. The students are learning the value of good citizenship.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Top Italian sporting officials have decried the citizenship law’s impact on Italian athletics. Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 30 May 2026 Essentially, the state claims it may be banned from providing confidential plates that could enable federal government surveillance programs targeting Washington residents by race, immigration, or citizenship status. Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026 The president is evidently unaware that 34 other countries bestow unrestricted citizenship on any person born on their soil. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 29 May 2026 If this occurs, American citizenship will mean something fundamentally different depending on the state one lives in. Bruce Sibley, Time, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for citizenship

Word History

Etymology

see citizen

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of citizenship was in 1611

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Citizenship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/citizenship. Accessed 31 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

citizenship

noun
cit·​i·​zen·​ship ˈsit-ə-zən-ship How to pronounce citizenship (audio)
1
: possession of the rights and privileges of a citizen
2
: the quality of a person's response to membership in a community

Legal Definition

citizenship

noun
cit·​i·​zen·​ship
1
: the status of being a citizen
2
: the quality of an individual's behavior as a citizen
3
: domicile
used especially in federal diversity cases
see also diversity jurisdiction at jurisdiction

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