citizens

Noun

citizen (plural citizens)

1. A resident of a city or town, especially one with legally recognized rights or duties.
   • [T]hat large body of the working men who were not counted as citizens and had not so much as a vote to serve as an anodyne to their stomachs were likely to get impatient.1862 July – 1863 August, George Eliot [pseudonym; Mary Ann Evans], “What Florence was Thinking of”, in Romola. […], volume II, London: Smith, Elder and Co., […], published 1863, →OCLC, book II, page...

   Synonyms:

   burgess, burgher, cityite, freeman

2. A legally recognized member of a state, with associated rights and obligations; a person considered in terms of this role.
   • I am a Roman citizen.

   Synonyms:

   countryman, national

   Antonyms:

   alien, illegal alien, foreigner, illegal

3. An inhabitant or occupant: a member of any place.
   • Diogenes reckoned himself a citizen of the world.

   Synonyms:

   denizen, local, inhabitant, native, occupant, resident

   Antonyms:

   alien, outsider, stranger

4. A resident of the heavenly city or (later) of the kingdom of God: a Christian; a good Christian.
5. A civilian, as opposed to a police officer, soldier, or member of some other specialized (usually state) group.
6. (obsolete) An ordinary person, as opposed to nobles and landed gentry on one side and peasants, craftsmen, and laborers on the other.
   • [W]ould Mr. Delvile, who hardly ever spoke but to the high-born, without seeming to think his dignity somewhat injured, deign to receive for a daughter in law the child of a citizen and tradesman?1782, Frances Burney, Cecilia, III.v.6

See all 10 meanings of citizen