city-state
noun
ˈsi-tē-ˌstāt 
also -ˈstāt
: an autonomous state consisting of a city and surrounding territory
Examples of city-state in a Sentence
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Singapore and Monaco are city-states that aren't divided into smaller sections.
—
Meena Thiruvengadam, CNBC, 27 July 2025
Walk around the block in the colonial heartland of this affluent city-state and tourists are snapping away at famous 19th century hotel Raffles, while others make a beeline for the opulent Long Bar where the original Singapore Sling cocktail was concocted.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
The Southeast Asian city-state estimates that the surrounding seas could rise by 1.15 meters (3.8 feet) by the end of this century.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 23 July 2025
In the fifth century BC, the Delian League of Greek city-states defeated the Persian Empire; in 1815, the Grand Alliance of Austria, the United Kingdom, Prussia, and Russia joined forces to vanquish Napoleon’s France.
—Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2025
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Meena Thiruvengadam, CNBC, 27 July 2025
Walk around the block in the colonial heartland of this affluent city-state and tourists are snapping away at famous 19th century hotel Raffles, while others make a beeline for the opulent Long Bar where the original Singapore Sling cocktail was concocted.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
The Southeast Asian city-state estimates that the surrounding seas could rise by 1.15 meters (3.8 feet) by the end of this century.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 23 July 2025
In the fifth century BC, the Delian League of Greek city-states defeated the Persian Empire; in 1815, the Grand Alliance of Austria, the United Kingdom, Prussia, and Russia joined forces to vanquish Napoleon’s France.
—Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for city-state
Cite this Entry
“City-state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/city-state. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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