Definition of citizen

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cit·i·zen    (st-zn) KEY 

NOUN:

1. A person owing loyalty to and entitled by birth or naturalization to the protection of a state or nation.
2. A resident of a city or town, especially one entitled to vote and enjoy other privileges there.
3. A civilian.
4. A native, inhabitant, or denizen of a particular place: "We have learned to be citizens of the world, members of the human community" (Franklin D. Roosevelt).

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English citisein, from Anglo-Norman citesein, alteration (perhaps influenced by dainzain, denizen), of Old French citeain from cite, city ; see city

OTHER FORMS:
citi·zen·ly(Adjective)

SYNONYMS:
citizen, national, subject

These nouns denote a person owing allegiance to a nation or state and entitled to its protection: an American citizen; a British national; a French subject.