citizenry

noun

cit·​i·​zen·​ry ˈsi-tə-zən-rē 

also -sən-

plural citizenries

: a whole body of citizens

Examples of citizenry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pennsylvania and Florida legislators argue, for example, that an informed citizenry needs to be able to read historical documents, which are often written in cursive script. — Mary Jean Tecce Decarlo, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026

Still, there was always the latent threat that someday, even in the distant future, the broader mass of American citizenry would elect politicians and pass policies to explicitly target the oligarchs’ assets. — Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026

Societies rely on police and prosecutors to monitor the citizenry, but who will monitor them? — The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2026

These very same donors, Eustis said, are the ones who feel most excited to be sitting among the citizenry in Central Park, watching the beauty of public art unfold in a joyous communal atmosphere. — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1795, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

citizenry

noun

cit·​i·​zen·​ry ˈsit-ə-zən-rē 

plural citizenries

: the whole body of citizens