inner city

noun

: the usually older, poorer, and more densely populated central section of a city

inner-city

ˈi-nər-ˈsi-tē 

adjective

Examples of inner city in a Sentence

The mayor is trying to attract new businesses to the inner city.

Recent Examples on the Web

To wind down from filming in the tough inner city, the duo would ride out into the Maryland countryside on horses owned by Jean Albert Renault, a former Motown singer. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2026

Additionally, cockroaches cause allergic reactions in people who live in the inner cities or southern parts of the United States. —Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026

Cockroaches cause allergic reactions in people who live in the inner cities or southern parts of the United States. —Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026

The National Rainbow Coalition opposed Reagan's policies to reduce domestic government spending, and fought for economic investment outside inner cities to better conditions for minority communities in suburban, ex-urban and rural areas. —Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inner city

• fugacity
• intercity
• lubricity
• rhythmicity
• seismicity
• sphericity
• subcommittee
• tendinitis
• atomicity
• catholicity
• ellipticity
• historicity

Kids Definition

inner city

noun

: the usually older and more heavily populated central section of a city

inner-city adjective