citizenship
noun
cit·i·zen·ship
ˈsi-tə-zən-ˌship 
also -sən-
1
: the status of being a citizen
He was granted U.S. citizenship.
2
a
: membership in a community (such as a college)
b
: the quality of an individual's response to membership in a community
The students are learning the value of good citizenship.
Examples of citizenship in a Sentence
She applied for Polish citizenship.
He was granted U.S. citizenship.
The students are learning the value of good citizenship.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Al-Roj camp, where the 34 Australians have been living, is home to Shamima Begum, the London schoolgirl who ran away at the age of 15 to join ISIS in 2015 and was subsequently stripped of her British citizenship.
—
Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
The act would require Americans show additional documents that prove their citizenship, such as a passport or a birth certificate.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 16 Feb. 2026
In Spain, people can apply for permanent residency after five years of living there, and for citizenship after 10 years.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
The Heritage Foundation, a national conservative think tank, argues that ethnic studies should be replaced with lessons on citizenship and government.
—Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for citizenship
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Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
The act would require Americans show additional documents that prove their citizenship, such as a passport or a birth certificate.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 16 Feb. 2026
In Spain, people can apply for permanent residency after five years of living there, and for citizenship after 10 years.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
The Heritage Foundation, a national conservative think tank, argues that ethnic studies should be replaced with lessons on citizenship and government.
—Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for citizenship
Cite this Entry
“Citizenship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/citizenship. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
citizenship
noun
cit·i·zen·ship
ˈsit-ə-zən-ship
1
: possession of the rights and privileges of a citizen
2
: the quality of a person's response to membership in a community
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