# citizenship

/ˈsɪtɪzənˌʃɪp/ (US) · /sˈɪtɪzənʃˌɪp/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/citizenship
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

the legal right to belong to a country and have all the protections that come with it. It also describes how well you behave as a member of your community.

For teachers: the legal status of being a member of a particular country, entailing specific rights and duties. It also refers to the quality of an individual's conduct as a member of a community.

## Examples

- She applied for dual citizenship last year.
- After living in the country for ten years, he finally passed the test to gain full citizenship.
- The debate over global citizenship suggests that our moral obligations should extend beyond national borders to encompass the entire human community.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the general status or quality of behavior; countable when referring to the specific legal status held in different countries.

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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.