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 Overjoyed to learn that people were not only interested, but excited, about the prospect that someone who himself had been involved in street life — fighting, drugs and crime — might be exactly the way to reach and turn around inner city youth who are traveling on the wrong path. J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2024 He’s also partnered with the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) and Live Nation to support his non-profit organization, Gunna’s Great Giveaway, on his Bittersweet Tour by allocating $1 from every ticket sold to support the inner cities of Atlanta. Heran Mamo, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2024 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

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 25 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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