n.
Pronunciation: ' si-t ə -z ə n also -s ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English citizein, from Anglo-French citezein, alteration of citeien, from cité city
Date: 14th century
1 : an inhabitant of a city or town especially : one entitled to the rights and privileges of a freeman
2 a : a member of a state b : a native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to protection from it
3 : a civilian as distinguished from a specialized servant of the state
– cit · i · zen · ly \ -z ə n-l ē also -s ə n- \ adjective
synonyms CITIZEN , SUBJECT , NATIONAL mean a person owing allegiance to and entitled to the protection of a sovereign state. CITIZEN is preferred for one owing allegiance to a state in which sovereign power is retained by the people and sharing in the political rights of those people <the rights of a free citizen >. SUBJECT implies allegiance to a personal sovereign such as a monarch <the king's subjects >. NATIONAL designates one who may claim the protection of a state and applies especially to one living or traveling outside that state <American nationals working in the Middle East>.