free city

noun

1. a city having an independent government and forming a sovereign state by itself.

free city

noun

1. a sovereign or autonomous city; city-state

Word History and Origins

Origin of free city¹

First recorded in 1610–20

Example Sentences

Or take Uber or a free city bus to the rental car center at Albuquerque International Sunport airport, where more options are available.

From Los Angeles Times

If the Supreme Court reverses the 9th Circuit, its decision could free city officials and their police to remove homeless encampments from sidewalks, parks or other public areas.

From Los Angeles Times

Staff, volunteers and neighbors who love Rainier Beach’s Kubota Garden work to maintain the free city landmark as it welcomes more visitors than ever before.

From Seattle Times

In 1521, in the imperial free city of Worms, the firebrand Augustinian friar Martin Luther stood before Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, then the head of and heir to the House of Habsburg, and refused to recant his widely published criticisms of the Catholic Church.

From Slate

Hong Kong’s draconian covid restrictions were installed in 2020, the same year Beijing imposed a far-reaching national security law intended to tame this restive, formerly free city by curbing speech.

From Washington Post