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
Opposition parties, the Conservatives and Reform UK, have both called on the government to revoke Abd El-Fattah’s British citizenship, which was granted to him in 2021 by the previous Conservative government.
—
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
According to a naturalization decree obtained by French newspaper the Journal officiel and viewed by PEOPLE, the married couple and their 8-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella, have been granted French citizenship.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
The couple and their 8-year-old twins, Ella and Alexander, were granted citizenship, according to a naturalization decree.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 29 Dec. 2025
When actor Gérard Depardieu accepted Russian citizenship after a public spat with French authorities, in 2013, Bardot threatened to follow suit if France euthanized two sick circus elephants.
—Ingrid Melander, USA Today, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for citizenship
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Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
According to a naturalization decree obtained by French newspaper the Journal officiel and viewed by PEOPLE, the married couple and their 8-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella, have been granted French citizenship.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
The couple and their 8-year-old twins, Ella and Alexander, were granted citizenship, according to a naturalization decree.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 29 Dec. 2025
When actor Gérard Depardieu accepted Russian citizenship after a public spat with French authorities, in 2013, Bardot threatened to follow suit if France euthanized two sick circus elephants.
—Ingrid Melander, USA Today, 28 Dec. 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 1 Jan. 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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