a native or naturalized member of a state or nation who owes allegiance to its government and is entitled to its protection (distinguished from alien).
an inhabitant of a city or town, especially one entitled to its privileges or franchises.
an inhabitant, or denizen: The deer is a citizen of our woods.
a civilian, as distinguished from a soldier, police officer, etc.
Origin of citizen
1275–1325; Middle English citisein<Anglo-French citesein,Old French citeain, equivalent to citecity + -ain-an; Anglo-French s perhaps by association with deinzaindenizen
One that views everything through the eyes of the badge and not the citizens we serve.
Officials Worked To Deliberately Delay Release Of Daniel Prude Body Cam Footage|mharris|September 17, 2020|Essence.com
Just how much fires increase in the future, or whether they do at all despite the rise in risk, depends on how policymakers and citizens respond to the threat.
What wildfires in Brazil, Siberia, and the US West have in common|Lili Pike|September 17, 2020|Vox
Federal law also allows citizens to file suit over Clean Water Act violations, both to seek fines, payable to the government, and to force measures to stop further violations.
This Billionaire Governor’s Coal Company Might Get a Big Break From His Own Regulators|by Ken Ward Jr.|September 17, 2020|ProPublica
The core principle of democracy is political equality — the idea that all citizens are equal under the law and deserve to have their interests considered equally by the political system.
America needs a democratic revolution|Matthew Yglesias|September 17, 2020|Vox
My administration will take all necessary steps to safeguard our citizens from this threat.
Ten days: After an early coronavirus warning, Trump is distracted as he downplays threat|Ashley Parker, Josh Dawsey, Yasmeen Abutaleb|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
The Pentagon said Faal served in the Air Force for seven years, during which time he became a U.S. citizen.
The Shadowy U.S. Veteran Who Tried to Overthrow a Country|Jacob Siegel|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The feisty airline is the brainchild of entrepreneur Tony Fernandes, a Malaysian of Indian descent who also is a British citizen.
The Presumed Crash of AirAsia Flight QZ8501 Is Nothing Like MH370|Lennox Samuels|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We see a system that will indict a 20-year-old for selling crack but not a police officer for choking the life out of a citizen.
Bobby Shmurda and Rap’s Ultimate Hoop Dream|Rawiya Kameir|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At least one parent would have to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
The Progressive Case Against Birthright Citizenship|Keli Goff|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For them, going to Vietnam was inseparable from living up to their obligations as West Pointers and citizen soldiers.
A West Point MVP Who Never Played a Down|Nicolaus Mills|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
An inscription records that it was given in 1858 by a citizen once a chorister; it is by Edmundson & Son.
Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Manchester|Thomas Perkins
Robert Keable urging the Automaton called Citizen to turn on his oppressor.
Nonsenseorship|G. G. Putnam and Others
And then a third citizen appears, and fairly fills up the doorway.
Dangerous Ground|Lawrence L. Lynch
It was commanded by an officer of German birth, but long since an American citizen.
The Campaign of Chancellorsville|Theodore A. Dodge
Cicero wishes that he had proved himself as good a citizen, as he was an orator.
A Dialogue Concerning Oratory, Or The Causes Of Corrupt Eloquence|Cornelius Tacitus
British Dictionary definitions for citizen
citizen
/ (ˈsɪtɪzən) /
noun
a native registered or naturalized member of a state, nation, or other political communityCompare alien
an inhabitant of a city or town
a native or inhabitant of any place
a civilian, as opposed to a soldier, public official, etc
Other words from citizen
Related adjective: civil
Derived forms of citizen
citizeness (ˈsɪtɪzənɪs, -ˌnɛs), fem ncitizenly, adjective
Word Origin for citizen
C14: from Anglo-French citesein, from Old French citeien, from cité,city