inner city

noun

: the usually older, poorer, and more densely populated central section of a city
inner-city adjective

Examples of inner city in a Sentence

The mayor is trying to attract new businesses to the inner city.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Colleges pay almost no income taxes and generally avoid paying property taxes even though their vast tracts of valuable land are often in or near struggling inner cities. Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 12 Mar. 2025 Only the wealthiest resided in the inner city, made up the raja’s court, and decided the fate of the kingdom’s people—yet never ventured outside the sixty-foot-tall iron gate to mingle or empathize. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 20 Feb. 2025 But our federal government instead prioritizes over our vets and inner city residents the millions from around the world who enter the United States illegally through our now open borders, and distributes them throughout the country. Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025 Imagine if two twins are separated at birth and raised in different homes: one on a farm with pets and one in the inner city. Breanne Hayes Haney, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inner city

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inner city was in 1958

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inner city.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inner%20city. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

inner city

noun
: the usually older and more heavily populated central section of a city
inner-city adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on inner city

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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