city
noun (countable)
UK/ˈsɪt.i/US/ˈsɪt.i/
A legally incorporated municipality with its own local government and administrative responsibilities.
Example Sentences
The city council passed a new ordinance to improve public safety and community engagement.
Each city has its own set of regulations and bylaws that govern everything from zoning to public health.
The mayor of the city is responsible for overseeing the implementation of policies and representing the municipality in regional matters.
City officials are working on a comprehensive plan to revitalize the downtown area and attract new businesses.
Residents can attend city council meetings to voice their opinions and stay informed about local issues.
The city's budget allocates funds for infrastructure projects, education, and social services to support the community's needs.
In many cities, local governments collaborate with state and federal agencies to address broader challenges such as transportation and environmental conservation.
The city's administrative offices are located in the newly constructed government building, which features modern facilities and enhanced accessibility for all citizens.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
A populated, developed area with infrastructure and cultural significance.You use the word “city” to describe an urban area distinguished by dense population, diverse activities, and established infrastructure. When writing, it helps your audience quickly visualize a central hub of commerce, culture, and governance. “City” commonly appears in contexts such as travel (“the city is known for its rich history”), demographics (“the city’s population has grown steadily”), and cultural references (“the city’s art scene is vibrant”). You can pair it with adjectives to highlight specific attributes (e.g., “historic city,” “modern city,” “bustling city,” or “coastal city”). In more formal writing, the term may appear in legal or political documents referring to municipal powers and obligations. In creative contexts, authors use “city” to convey atmosphere or setting—especially if focusing on cultural diversity, architecture, and social vibrancy. By choosing the right descriptors, you can evoke images of either a grand metropolis or a quaint town striving for urban status.
Alternatives
When looking for alternatives to the word “city,” you can select from several synonyms and related terms, each with a particular nuance. “Metropolis” emphasizes a large, bustling urban area often central to a region’s economy or culture. “Town” suggests a smaller scale, evoking a more close-knit community and potentially fewer services than a full-fledged city. “Municipality” is a broader, more administrative term that can describe any self-governing urban area, including both towns and cities. “Urban center” emphasizes the characteristic of density and infrastructural development, highlighting that it serves as a hub for trade, travel, or cultural exchange. “Megacity” is used for exceptionally large urban areas exceeding millions of inhabitants, while “conurbation” references the blending of multiple towns or cities into a larger, continuous area. By choosing terms carefully, you can refine your writing to convey the specific nature and scale of an urban environment, whether it be a tranquil hamlet or an enormous metropolitan sprawl.
Writing
When writing about a city, clarity and detail are key. Start by capturing the atmosphere that sets your chosen location apart—whether it’s the glittering skyline, historical architecture, or vibrant street life. Use concrete details, such as describing a famous landmark, to ground your reader in the urban setting. Integrate statistics or facts where appropriate: for instance, population size and cultural background can highlight diversity, while local regulations or governance structures can add depth. Show, don’t just tell, by weaving in sensory impressions like the hum of traffic, the scent of street food, or the feeling of busy sidewalks. These vivid elements can make your city descriptions more engaging and immersive. In persuasive or analytical writing, emphasize how a city’s history, economy, and social fabric shape its identity. By balancing factual information with descriptive storytelling, your writing will resonate with readers and provide a clear image of the urban environment you’re depicting.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, the word “city” helps you describe where you live, work, or travel. It’s versatile: you might mention how crowded the city is during rush hour, how lively it feels on a Friday night, or how interesting it is to explore new neighborhoods. You might talk about the city’s best restaurant, museum, or park and discuss how different it is from the countryside or smaller towns. In casual chats with friends, simply say something like, “I love the city because there’s always something to do,” or, “My city’s public transportation is amazing!” These casual observations let others know about your experiences, interests, and daily life. The word “city” also creates shared context for fun topics like food festivals, sports events, and cultural happenings that draw people together in a busy urban setting.
Etymology
The English word “city” comes from the Latin term “civitas,” which originally referred to the condition of citizenship and later came to signify a community or municipality of citizens. As the Roman Empire expanded, “civitas” began to encompass an entire urban settlement with its own administrative and social structures, distinguishing it from rural areas. Over centuries, languages across Europe evolved and borrowed from Latin, gradually refining the term to represent a large and relatively complex urban center. Historically, cities formed around trade routes, rivers, and other strategic locations, playing major roles in the economic, cultural, and political development of civilizations. From the thriving polis of ancient Greece to the walled medieval towns of Europe, the concept of a city has always been intertwined with commerce, community, and progress. Today, the word “city” stands for a vibrant hub of interconnected lives, offering immense opportunities for social and cultural exchange, while also posing challenges related to infrastructure, environment, and governance.