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

Among Trump's plans are mass deportations, resuming border wall construction, ending birthright citizenship, boosting energy production, and imposing new tariffs. —David Faris, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024

While Israeli citizenship is open to them, most have not taken it and have Israeli residency permits instead. —Elena Becatoros, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024

The second-biggest need is immigration lawyers to secure many of the families' refugee status and a path toward citizenship. —Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 29 Dec. 2024

Eugene Spector, who was born in Russia but later moved to the U.S. and got his U.S. citizenship, was already serving a 3 1/2-year sentence for bribery. —Filip Timotija, The Hill, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see citizen

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing citizenship

• dual citizenship

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