ˈsɪti
ˈsɪti
1 [countable] a large and important townthe city centreone of the world's most beautiful citiesa major citythe country's capital cityMexico CityManchester City Football Club see also inner city2 [countable] (British English) a town that has been given special rights by a king or queen, usually one that has a cathedralthe city of York3 [countable] (North American English) a town that has been given special rights by the state government4 [singular + singular or plural verb] all the people who live in a cityThe city turned out to welcome the victorious team home.5 the City [singular] (British English) Britain's financial and business centre, in the oldest part of Londona City stockbrokerWhat is the City's reaction to the cut in interest rates?6 [uncountable] (informal) used after other nouns to say that a place is full of a particular thingIt's not exactly fun city here is it?cardboard city (= full of people living in cardboard boxes because they have nowhere else to live) Idioms
see the freedom of the city at freedom
Usage note: Town and countryTownlive in a city/a town/an urban environment/(informal) a concrete jungle/the suburbs/shanty towns/slumslive (especially North American English) downtown/in the downtown area/(British English) in the city centreenjoy/like the hectic pace of life/the hustle and bustle of city lifecope with the stress/pressure of urban lifeget caught up in the rat raceprefer/seek the anonymity of life in a big citybe drawn by/resist the lure of the big cityhead for the bright lights (of the big city/New York)enjoy/love the vibrant/lively nightlifehave/be close to all the amenitiesbe surrounded by towering skyscrapers/a soulless urban sprawluse/travel by/rely on (British English) public transport/(North American English) public transportationput up with/get stuck in/sit in massive/huge/heavy/endless/constant traffic jamstackle/ease/reduce/relieve/alleviate the heavy/severe traffic congestionbe affected/choked/damaged by pollutionCountrylive in a village/the countryside/an isolated area/a rural backwater/(informal) the sticksenjoy/like the relaxed/slower pace of lifeenjoy/love/explore the great outdoorslook for/find/get/enjoy a little peace and quietneed/want to get back/closer to naturebe surrounded by open/unspoilt/picturesque countrysideescape/quit/get out of/leave the rat raceseek/achieve a better/healthy work-life balancedownshift to a less stressful lifeseek/start a new life in the country(British English, informal) up sticks/(North American English, informal) pull up stakes and move to/head for…create/build/foster a strong sense of communitydepend on/be employed in/work in agriculturelive off/farm/work the landtackle/address the problem of rural unemployment