Adjective

city

1. public; belonging to a city; of a city
2. urban

Synonyms

• civic
• municipal

A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement, particularly a large urban settlement. Although there is no agreement on technical definitions distinguishing a city from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law. For example, an article of incorporation approved by the local cognizant (state) legislature separates towns from city government forms, rights, duties and privileges in Massachusetts, and similar distinctions are made across the world, particularly in former colonies of the United Kingdom. Historically, in Europe, a city was understood to be an urban settlement with a cathedral; in later usages, especially in the United Kingdom and parts of Commonwealth of Nations, a city was a settlement with a royal charter.

Cities generally have advanced systems for sanitation, utilities, land usage, housing, and transportation and more. The concentration of development greatly facilitates interaction between people and businesses, benefiting both parties in the process.

A big city, or metropolis, usually has associated suburbs and regions. Such cities are usually associated with metropolitan areas and urban sprawl, creating numerous business commuters traveling to urban centers of employment. Once a city sprawls far enough to reach another city, this region can be deemed a conurbation or megalopolis.