open city

American  

noun

1. a city that, during a war, is officially declared demilitarized and open to occupation, and that will consequently not be defended, in order to spare it, under international law, from bombardment or other military attack.

2. a city or autonomous city-state that gives equal access and status to inhabitants and visitors without regard to religious, ethnic, racial, or national affiliation.

---

Etymology

Origin of open city

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Essential services including hotels, supermarkets and pharmacies will however remain open, city officials said as they announced the measures at a press conference on Saturday.

From Reuters • Jul. 9, 2022

Quartz also mentioned one open city proposal, which would have the coin serve as a reward for people who call to report rideshare scooters left laying around.

From The Verge • May 16, 2022

“It was a very open city, open to diverse lifestyles and diverse communities and not only specific to race, but also sexuality and gender and class.”

From New York Times • Oct. 6, 2021

Some also show scenes of playful visitors engaging with the finished pieces as tactile elements of the open city.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 3, 2021

In Europe, it has long been a rule of military morals, that no open city shall ever be bombarded.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 61, No. 380, June, 1847 by Various