Added 5 October 2026
city
/ˈsɪti/ noun
In Latin: urbs, civitas Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about city at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
A large settlement, bigger than a town; sometimes with a specific legal definition, depending on the place.
São Paulo is the largest city in South America.
- A settlement granted special status by royal charter or letters patent; traditionally, a settlement with a cathedral regardless of size.
-
The central business district; downtown.
I'm going into the city today to do some shopping.
Origin
Inherited from Middle English cite, derived from Old French cite, derived from Late Latin cīvitātem (“city”), in Classical Latin "citizenry", derived from cīvis (“fellow-citizen”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ḱey- (“lie down; settle”). Cognate with Old English hīwan pl (“members of one's household, servants”). See hewe. Doublet of civitas. Mostly displaced native Old English burg, whence Modern English borough.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)