Meaning

noun a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

noun an incorporated administrative district established by state charter

noun people living in a large densely populated municipality

originInherited from Middle English cite, derived from Old French cite, derived from Late Latin cīvitātem (“city”), in Classical Latin "citizenry", derived from cīvis (“fellow-citizen”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ḱey- (“lie down; settle”). Cognate with Old English hīwan pl (“members of one's household, servants”). See hewe. Doublet of civitas. Mostly displaced native Old English burg, whence…

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0