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

Ganiyu received about $671,438 from citizenship applicants through Zelle and Cash App, along with $287,830 in cash deposits that prosecutors say were meant to conceal the money’s source, according to court documents, the New York Post reported. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Yet, what feels different now, Stevens said, is DHS’s growing willingness to double down even after evidence of citizenship emerges. — María Luisa Paúl, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

The time in which Cardoso allegedly registered to vote despite not meeting citizenship requirements is the same time period in which about 6,600 noncitizens were mistakenly registered to vote through New Jersey’s automatic voter registration system. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2026

Benin has even recruited Hollywood director Spike Lee, who received citizenship and became an ambassador for the initiative. — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see citizen

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing citizenship

• birthright citizenship
• dual citizenship

Rhymes for citizenship

• apostleship
• apprenticeship
• assistantship
• championship
• chancellorship
• companionship
• copartnership
• dictatorship
• directorship
• discipleship
• editorship
• generalship

Kids 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

Legal Definition

citizenship

noun

cit·​i·​zen·​ship

1

: the status of being a citizen

2

: the quality of an individual's behavior as a citizen

3

: domicile

—used especially in federal diversity cases see also diversity jurisdiction at jurisdiction