metropolis

noun

me·​trop·​o·​lis mə-ˈträ-p(ə-)ləs 

1

: the chief or capital city of a country, state, or region

2

: the city or state of origin of a colony (as of ancient Greece)

3

a

: a city regarded as a center of a specified activity

an industrial metropolis

a cattle metropolis

b

: a large important city

one of Europe's great metropolises

Synonyms

• asphalt jungle
• burg
• city
• cosmopolis
• megacity
• megalopolis
• municipality
• town

Examples of metropolis in a Sentence

a big, teeming metropolis where ambitious people from all over come to make their mark

Recent Examples on the Web

While some cities offer an affordable lifestyle, others demand a premium just to cover the basics, as a Newsweek map shows From skyrocketing housing costs in coastal metropolises to budget-friendly communities in the heartland, the economic landscape across the U.S. varies dramatically. —Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

From towering skyscrapers in bustling metropolises to lavish cinemas and the most opulent of hotels, Art Deco’s striking aesthetic has left a profound mark on global architecture. —Maya Chawla, Architectural Digest, 16 Dec. 2024

Barcelona, a vibrant metropolis on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, has emerged as a significant global fashion hub. —Fairchild Studio, WWD, 7 Dec. 2024

Here a book worth considering is ‘From third world to first’ - Lee Kwan Yew's first person story of transforming Singapore from a pestilential swamp into a metropolis. —Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin, from Greek mētropolis, from mētr-, mētēr mother + polis city — more at mother, police entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

metropolis

noun

me·​trop·​o·​lis mə-ˈträp-(ə-)ləs 

1

: the chief or capital city of a country, state, or region

2

: a large important city