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

Very few crime victim organizations in the state — if any — are set up to do citizenship screening, according to Kaul. —Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 1 Dec. 2025

The data included an indicator if the department had citizenship information. —Idaho Statesman, 1 Dec. 2025

Greece is one of the easiest countries to get citizenship, thanks to its Golden Visa program. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025

Their citizenship comes from the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 and tribal sovereignty recognition. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see citizen

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing citizenship

• birthright citizenship
• dual citizenship

Rhymes for citizenship

• apostleship
• apprenticeship
• assistantship
• championship
• chancellorship
• companionship
• copartnership
• dictatorship
• directorship
• discipleship
• editorship
• generalship

Kids 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

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