metropolis

noun

me·​trop·​o·​lis mə-ˈträ-p(ə-)ləs 

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

Synonyms of metropolis

• city
• town

Examples of metropolis in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

As the only female taxi driver working her corner of Nigeria’s heaving metropolis, Lady is accustomed to underestimation by a callous patriarchy, and staunchly resists the gender normatives implied by her name. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026

The airport's influence on the surrounding area is undeniable, centered in the midst of a growing metropolis and within driving distance for residents of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. —Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026

Explore the ancient towns of Syracuse and Ortigia The ancient Greek city of Syracuse was once a busy metropolis that Cicero described as the most beautiful Greek city. —Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026

Admire holiday toy trains racing through a miniature metropolis. —Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin, from Greek mētropolis, from mētr-, mētēr mother + polis city — more at mother, police entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for metropolis

• acropolis
• monopolise
• necropolis
• megalopolis
• propolis

Kids Definition

metropolis

noun

me·​trop·​o·​lis mə-ˈträp-(ə-)ləs 

1

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

2

: a large important city