city-state

noun

ˈsi-tē-ˌstāt How to pronounce city-state (audio)
 also  -ˈstāt
: an autonomous state consisting of a city and surrounding territory

Examples of city-state in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That leaves Pope Leo XIV facing challenges to drum up the funds needed to pull his city-state out of the red. Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025 Evoking the concept of kingdoms while exploring diverse expressions of power, the pieces span empires, kingdoms, city-states, chiefdoms, and figures from divine rulers to heroic leaders. Essence, 3 June 2025 It was initially applied to the dominance of one city-state over others. Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 30 May 2025 Singapore’s imports look huge because that city-state is often the first stop on the way to their final destination in other parts of Asia. Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for city-state

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of city-state was in 1840

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Cite this Entry

“City-state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/city-state. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

city-state

noun
ˈsit-ē-ˈstāt,
-ˌstāt
: a self-governing state consisting of a city and surrounding territory

More from Merriam-Webster on city-state

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