citizen

noun

cit·​i·​zen ˈsi-tə-zən 

 also  -sən

1

a

: a native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to protection from it

She was an American citizen but lived most of her life abroad.

b

: a member of a state

2

: an inhabitant of a city or town

especially : one entitled to the rights and privileges of a freeman

3

: a civilian as distinguished from a specialized servant of the state

Soldiers were sent to protect the citizens.

citizenly

ˈsi-tə-zən-lē 

 also  -sən-

adjective

Synonyms

• national
• resident

Choose the Right Synonym for citizen

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

Examples of citizen in a Sentence

She was a United States citizen but lived most of her life abroad.

a group of Japanese citizens

Recent Examples on the Web

Given the ubiquity of stories and humanity’s vulnerability to them, citizens today would be wise to practice the skills of literary analysis, the very techniques routinely derided and devalued in a world committed to technology and tribalism. —Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025

DeSantis said state universities need to ensure Florida citizens are first in line for job opportunities. —Lucy Marques, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025

In this stratified society, citizens are divided into seven status levels that determine every aspect of their lives — from housing to occupation to food rations. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025

But Drexel and her family, all American citizens living in the US while Jin resided in China, hope a major diplomatic meeting this week might change that. —Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing citizen

• citizen's arrest
• second-class citizen
• senior citizen

Rhymes for citizen

• noncitizen

Kids Definition

citizen

noun

cit·​i·​zen ˈsit-ə-zən 

1

: a person who lives in a city or town

2

a

: a member of a state

b

: a person who owes allegiance to a government and is protected by it

Etymology

Middle English citizein, "citizen, resident of a town," derived from early French citeien (same meaning), from cité "town," derived from Latin civitas "state of being a resident of a town, citizenship," from civis "citizen" — related to city, civil

Legal Definition

citizen

noun

cit·​i·​zen

1

: a native or naturalized individual who owes allegiance to a government (as of a state or nation) and is entitled to the enjoyment of governmental protection and to the exercise of civil rights see also Scott v. Sandford compare resident

Note: Under the Fourteenth Amendment, “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.” A person born outside of the U.S. to parents who were born or naturalized in the U.S. is also a citizen of the U.S. A corporation is not considered a citizen for purposes of the privileges and immunities clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. A corporation is, however, deemed a citizen of the state in which it is incorporated or has its principal place of business for purposes of diversity jurisdiction.

2

: a resident of a town or state who is also a U.S. native or was naturalized in the U.S.

Etymology

Anglo-French citezein, alteration of Old French citeien, from cité city