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
Trump signed an executive order on the first day of his second term directing federal agencies not to recognize the citizenship of babies born in the United States if neither parent is a citizen or lawful permanent resident.
—
Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
In 2023, however, the Canadian courts ruled that law unconstitutional and the changes to eligibility came into effect in December, suddenly opening up a pathway to Canadian citizenship for many Americans at a time of political upheaval, violence and uncertainty in the US.
—Vivian Song, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
Has the Supreme Court considered citizenship by birth before?
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
That case, which the court is set to hear this week, asks whether children born in the United States to non‑citizen parents are automatically entitled to citizenship.
—Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for citizenship
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Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
In 2023, however, the Canadian courts ruled that law unconstitutional and the changes to eligibility came into effect in December, suddenly opening up a pathway to Canadian citizenship for many Americans at a time of political upheaval, violence and uncertainty in the US.
—Vivian Song, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
Has the Supreme Court considered citizenship by birth before?
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
That case, which the court is set to hear this week, asks whether children born in the United States to non‑citizen parents are automatically entitled to citizenship.
—Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for citizenship
Cite this Entry
“Citizenship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/citizenship. Accessed 3 Apr. 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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