citizenship
noun
cit·i·zen·ship
ˈsi-tə-zən-ˌship 
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
Arizona’s voter registration form, by contrast, requires documentary proof of citizenship.
—
Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 21 June 2026
Based on extensive research and conversations with Ms Lee, her family and others in her circle, Roché’s narrative emphasizes how much faith, patience and tireless effort was required of Lee’s generation just to secure the basic dignities of American citizenship.
—Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Correspondent Mo Rocca talks with constitutional experts about our nation's longstanding embrace of immigrants, and what denying citizenship might mean.
—David Morgan, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Trump appears to have lost interest in most of the GOP agenda and has become almost singularly focused on his voting legislation to require proof of citizenship, which has almost no chance of passing.
—Mary Clare Jalonick, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for citizenship
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Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 21 June 2026
Based on extensive research and conversations with Ms Lee, her family and others in her circle, Roché’s narrative emphasizes how much faith, patience and tireless effort was required of Lee’s generation just to secure the basic dignities of American citizenship.
—Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Correspondent Mo Rocca talks with constitutional experts about our nation's longstanding embrace of immigrants, and what denying citizenship might mean.
—David Morgan, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Trump appears to have lost interest in most of the GOP agenda and has become almost singularly focused on his voting legislation to require proof of citizenship, which has almost no chance of passing.
—Mary Clare Jalonick, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for citizenship
Cite this Entry
“Citizenship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/citizenship. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
citizenship
noun
cit·i·zen·ship
ˈsit-ə-zən-ship
1
: possession of the rights and privileges of a citizen
2
: the quality of a person's response to membership in a community
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