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

In 1935, Germany’s citizenship law stripped Jews of their citizenship, and with it the ballot, paving the road to annihilation. — Seth Limmer, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026

The 2026 version of the bill, known as the SAVE America Act, would require voters nationwide to provide proof of citizenship to register and present a photo ID to vote, and would compel states to turn over their voter rolls to DHS. — ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2026

Some also faced felony immigration charges for allegedly lying about their citizenship to register to vote. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026

In this view, the parameters for citizenship are not national security or public safety but loyalty. — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2026

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