rhizoverbBeta
DictionarymetropolitanLarge-city area
adjective / noun

metropolitan

met-ruh-PAH-lih-tun/ˌmetrəˈpɑːlɪtən/

Of a major city and its surrounding district.

Commuter trains connect the city center with suburbs throughout the metropolitan area.

Compact isometric large-city downtown cluster surrounded by small suburban houses linked by three commuter rail lines, one outlined boundary encloses entire core+surroundings, urban area relationship clear.
Etymology
metropolitGreekcity resident
+anLatinrelating to

The base names a city resident; the ending makes it mean belonging to or connected with a city. The chief-city connection carries into the modern sense of a large urban center and its surrounding area.

In context

Beaver Geography0:00
a megalopolis is defined as a very large densely populated group of connected metropolitan areas
Which US Megalopolis Is Growing The Fastest?

More examples

  • Housing costs vary widely across the metropolitan region.
  • The metropolitan population includes residents of nearby suburbs.
  • Many metropolitans rely on public transit rather than cars.

Forms

metropolitan · metropolitans

metropolis noun — A large, important city in a region.

Similar words

urban
Describes the city itself, not necessarily its surrounding suburbs.
citywide
Covers an entire city but excludes its surrounding district.