inner city

noun

: the usually older, poorer, and more densely populated central section of a city
inner-city 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 Defensive ends from inner city Detroit play next to defensive tackles from Yazoo City, Mississippi. Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 Among the critics are some inner city residents and workers who dump the contents of the carts into the recycling trucks. Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024 During the doc, Grandmaster Caz talked about how a lot of inner city kids didn't have instruments. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 The brand often highlights the style of those who live in an inner city and reflect that in the collection with separates that toy the line between athleisure and streetwear. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 19 Oct. 2023 Based on the book by Gloria Naylor, The Women of Brewster Place is a TV mini-series that takes place in an inner city housing project building and its surrounding community. Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 16 Feb. 2024 At the time, violent gangs that had formed on the streets of American inner cities were beginning to surface in Honduras. Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2024 On this occasion, those deemed eligible to vote came from the inner city, where fewer people are likely to drive SUVs. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 5 Feb. 2024 Freddie was in Washington D.C., living down the street from a community center where a non-profit group was helping kids from the inner city, kids who were slipping through the cracks, toward dark places. Gregg Doyel, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inner city.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inner city was in 1958

Dictionary Entries Near inner city

Cite this Entry

“Inner city.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inner%20city. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

inner city

noun
: the usually older and more heavily populated central section of a city
inner-city adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on inner city

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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