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

Dynastic planning should ideally incorporate sufficient flexibility to ensure any irrevocable trust structures do not implicate foreign trust tax and administrative burdens especially when those benefiting from the trusts obtain multiple citizenships, change residencies, or expatriate. —Priya Prakash Royal Esq. Ll.m. Mba Aep Tep, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

Khalil has Algerian citizenship through his mother, but was born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Lindsey Reese, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2025

My way of getting Italian citizenship is going to be a different way. —Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 29 Apr. 2025

What’s being proposed During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump vowed to enact requirements for voter identification and proof of citizenship for Americans casting ballots. —Phil Willon, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see citizen

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing citizenship

• dual citizenship

Rhymes for citizenship

• apostleship
• apprenticeship
• assistantship
• championship
• chancellorship
• companionship
• copartnership
• dictatorship
• directorship
• discipleship
• editorship
• generalship

Kids 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

Legal Definition

citizenship

noun

cit·​i·​zen·​ship

1

: the status of being a citizen

2

: the quality of an individual's behavior as a citizen

3

: domicile

—used especially in federal diversity cases see also diversity jurisdiction at jurisdiction