free city

noun

: a self-governing city or city-state usually possessing sovereign power: such as
a
: an Italian city-state of the 11th century and later
b
: certain cities of Germany since the 13th century having free institutions
c
: a territorial unit (such as Danzig, formerly) comprising a city and often adjacent areas that functions as a semiautonomous political entity under the authority of an international organization

Word History

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of free city was in 1575

Dictionary Entries Near free city

Cite this Entry

“Free city.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20city. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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