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
What were once civic duties, such as collecting taxes and maintaining order, became investment opportunities, and the commodification of public service weakened once-strong notions of citizenship and civic duty.
—
Zephyr Teachout, The Atlantic, 22 Sep. 2025
All mention of subsidized colonization was gone; in its place was the news that freed men, if of age, could now join the Union Army and Navy—and thereby prove to the world their manhood and just claims to full and equal American citizenship.
—Akhil Reed Amar, Time, 22 Sep. 2025
That proposal, which does not include a pathway to citizenship, would require congressional approval.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
In addition to the tougher test, the agency has resumed neighborhood investigations of citizenship applicants, reinforced background checks and tightened the evaluation of disability waivers.
—Daniel Shoer Roth, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for citizenship
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Zephyr Teachout, The Atlantic, 22 Sep. 2025
All mention of subsidized colonization was gone; in its place was the news that freed men, if of age, could now join the Union Army and Navy—and thereby prove to the world their manhood and just claims to full and equal American citizenship.
—Akhil Reed Amar, Time, 22 Sep. 2025
That proposal, which does not include a pathway to citizenship, would require congressional approval.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
In addition to the tougher test, the agency has resumed neighborhood investigations of citizenship applicants, reinforced background checks and tightened the evaluation of disability waivers.
—Daniel Shoer Roth, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
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 Sep. 2025.
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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