metropolis

play

noun me·trop·o·lis \ mə-ˈträ-p(ə-)ləs \

Definition of metropolis

1 :the chief or capital city of a country, state, or region

2 :the city or state of origin of a colony (as of ancient Greece)

3 a :a city regarded as a center of a specified activity

an industrial metropolis

a cattle metropolis

b :a large important city

one of Europe's great metropolises

See metropolis defined for English-language learners

See metropolis defined for kids

Examples of metropolis in a Sentence

a big, teeming metropolis where ambitious people from all over come to make their mark

Recent Examples of metropolis from the Web

A: Metropolis helped to create CMAP, which led to CMAP’s Go To 2040 plan.

— kate macarthur, chicagotribune.com, "How can new ideas help Illinois fix its rickety bridges by 2050?," 15 Aug. 2017
Such are the hazards of heading the elite counter-terror force in a steamy metropolis of 20m with a reputation as the most dangerous city in Asia.

— The Economist, "The pushmi-pullyuWhat makes Pakistan so unfathomable," 22 July 2017
But there’s one major metropolis missing from the re-hyphenated hip-hop heavyweight’s itinerary, however: Philadelphia.

— dan deluca, Philly.com, "Why isn't there a Philadelphia date on the tour Jay-Z just announced?," 11 July 2017
Even other Rust Belt metropolises did markedly better: In metro Cleveland, employment also fell, but only by 3.8 percent.

— justin fox, chicagotribune.com, "Fixing a resurgent Detroit's 'doughnut' problems," 3 July 2017
Mosul is Iraq's biggest metropolis outside Baghdad, and gaining control of the city was one of ISIS' most significant strategic wins.

— nick paton walsh, CNN, "The liberation of Mosul from ISIS is 'imminent,' US-led coalition says," 29 June 2017
Metropolis calls itself the World Association of the Major Metropolises, a global network of major cities and metropolitan areas.

— chicago tribune, chicagotribune.com, "Morning Spin: Emanuel hits D.C. to talk up proposed high school graduation requirement," 20 June 2017
A stay at the Hotel Mono is where the Singapore of today meets the metropolis of years past.

— sara tardiff, ELLE Decor, "This Monochromatic Hotel in Singapore Takes Minimalist Decor Very Seriously," 14 June 2017
Enjoy with a warming cup of Dollop coffee, made from beans from local roaster Metropolis.

— leah pickett, chicagotribune.com, "Evening pie flights at Hoosier Mama Pie Co.," 9 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'metropolis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of metropolis

Middle English, from Late Latin, from Greek mētropolis, from mētr-, mētēr mother + polis city — more at mother, police

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

metropolis Synonyms

Synonyms

asphalt jungle, burg, cosmopolis, megacity, megalopolis, city, municipality, town

Related Words

borough; conurbation; urban sprawl; exurb, suburb, suburbia; central city, edge city, garden city; core city, downtown, inner city, midtown

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

METROPOLIS Defined for English Language Learners

metropolis

play

noun

Definition of metropolis for English Language Learners

: a very large or important city

METROPOLIS Defined for Kids

metropolis

play

noun me·trop·o·lis \ mə-ˈträ-pə-ləs \

Definition of metropolis for Students

1 :the chief or capital city of a country, state, or region

2 :a large or important city

Word Root of metropolis

The Greek word polis, meaning “city” or “community,” and the related word polītēs, meaning “citizen,” give us the roots polis and polit. Words from Greek polis and polītēs have something to do with cities or communities or the citizens who live in them. A metropolis is the most important city in an area. The police are a group that enforces the law so as to protect citizens. Politics is the science and art of governing citizens.