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

In late February, a petition to strip Musk of his Canadian citizenship had received thousands of signatures before being sent to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025

The order would deny citizenship to those born after Feb. 19 whose parents are in the country illegally. —Mark Sherman and Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025

Many have lived in the shadows for decades, waiting for a pathway to citizenship that may never come. —Emmet Lyons, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2025

They should not be indoctrinated into any belief system, but rather taught the principles of democracy and good citizenship. —Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 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