city-state

[ sit-ee-steyt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a sovereign state consisting of an autonomous city and, especially historically, any dependent settlements or territories:
The Corinthian order of architecture is named for its legendary origin in the ancient Greek city-state of Corinth.
Singapore’s role in shaping global entrepreneurship has further strengthened that city-state's position in the world economy.

city-state

a state consisting of a sovereign city and its dependencies. Among the most famous are the great independent cities of the ancient world, such as Athens, Sparta, Carthage, Thebes, Corinth, and Rome

First recorded in 1890–95

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