# citizenry

/ˈsɪtɪzənɹi/ (US) · /sˈɪtɪzənɹi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/citizenry
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

the people who live in a country and have the legal rights and duties of that country. It is a more formal way to talk about the general public.

For teachers: the body of people who are legally recognized as members of a particular country. Often used in political or sociological contexts to refer to the collective population.

## Examples

- The government must listen to the needs of the citizenry.
- The new law was designed to protect the citizenry from rising crime rates in the city center.
- Political theorists often debate whether a healthy democracy requires an informed citizenry or if it can function effectively with a population that remains largely apathetic to the legislative process.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.