city-state

noun

ˈsi-tē-ˌstāt How to pronounce city-state (audio)
 also  -ˈstāt
: an autonomous state consisting of a city and surrounding territory

Examples of city-state in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The International Cricket Council’s series of meetings starts on Thursday in Singapore, the affluent city-state keen to re-emerge as a major cricket destination. Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025 San Diego has all the ingredients to become a city-state in function, if not in law. John Eger, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2025 The $8-billion expansion plan is a testament to the commercial success of Marina Bay Sands, which contains a hotel, mall, convention center and one of only two licensed casinos in the southeast Asian city-state. Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 16 July 2025 An undated photo of a signage at Singapore state investor Temasek Holdings' headquarters in the Southeast Asian city-state. Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for city-state

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of city-state was in 1840

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Cite this Entry

“City-state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/city-state. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

city-state

noun
ˈsit-ē-ˈstāt,
-ˌstāt
: a self-governing state consisting of a city and surrounding territory

More from Merriam-Webster on city-state

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