citizenry

noun

cit·​i·​zen·​ry ˈsi-tə-zən-rē How to pronounce citizenry (audio)
 also  -sən-
plural citizenries
: a whole body of citizens

Examples of citizenry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Waldman believes that the United States and its Supreme Court are separated by a widening gap, with lifetime appointees on the bench entrenching what is a distinctly minority view among the citizenry. Michael Waldman, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023 Knight has spent decades investing in programs and resources to help foster an informed and engaged citizenry. Essence, 19 Oct. 2023 But in Israel, haunted by the worst massacre of Israeli civilians citizens in the country’s history, there is a sense that if the military does not strike a decisive blow against Hamas now, any illusion of safety for Israel’s citizenry is gone for good. Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2023 How long would the citizenry be required to pay the price in the name of political correctness and inclusivity/tolerance ? Karla Adam, Washington Post, 13 Oct. 2023 Some were beheaded to instill terror within the citizenry. Randy Ertll, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2023 However noble their intentions, the sedition hunters are enabling a surveillance state enforced by its own citizenry. Grace Segers, The New Republic, 10 Oct. 2023 These preliminary attacks — what military analysts call shaping operations — are intended to disrupt Moscow’s battle plans, pull Russian troops away from the main battlefields and undermine the Russian citizenry’s confidence in the country’s forces, the officials said in interviews. Julian E. Barnes, New York Times, 5 June 2023 Few quarterbacks who demonstrate obvious skill, leadership and citizenry have been more pilloried than Tagovailoa. Mike Freeman, USA TODAY, 28 Aug. 2023 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1795, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of citizenry was in 1795

Dictionary Entries Near citizenry

Cite this Entry

“Citizenry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/citizenry. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

citizenry

noun
cit·​i·​zen·​ry ˈsit-ə-zən-rē How to pronounce citizenry (audio)
plural citizenries
: the whole body of citizens
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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