A citizen is a person legally recognized as belonging to a particular nation, state or commonwealth. Citizenship usually comes with responsibilities and rights, such as the right to vote and the obligation to follow the laws of the place where one lives. Citizenship also varies from nation to nation, with some countries requiring more qualifications for citizenship than others. In some cases, it is possible for a person to become a citizen without ever having been born in the country. For example, a person may be granted citizenship through marriage or by naturalization. Different places may have different rules and requirements for citizenship, which can have a significant impact on the way a society functions.
The word citizen can also be used as a term of praise, for people who obey the rules and are not criminals or troublemakers. For example, a person might be described as a “good citizen” for not going to jail or stealing money from the government. The term is often used by politicians and newscasters in order to distinguish between citizens who do their duty and citizens who are more prone to committing crimes.
Citizen is a broad word that can be applied to many areas of life. It is often used in the sciences, as when a scientist is referred to as a “citizen scientist” or when a person is praised for doing volunteer work for a charity. However, it is also used in everyday speech to describe people who are involved in the political process or are members of a community. People who work in the legal field are sometimes referred to as “citizen lawyers” or “citizen judges,” although these terms are less well-known than the term citizen.
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. This does not reflect the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. The law is a complex subject that covers many fields and has an influence on politics, economics, history and culture. It establishes standards, maintains order and resolving disputes and protects people’s liberties and rights. The discipline and profession of law is a vital part of modern society, and its effects are felt in the daily lives of people around the world.