polis

1 of 2

noun

po·​lis ˈpä-ləs How to pronounce polis (audio)
plural poleis ˈpä-ˌlās How to pronounce polis (audio)
: a Greek city-state
broadly : a state or society especially when characterized by a sense of community

-polis

2 of 2

noun combining form

: city
megalopolis

Examples of polis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
This has historical precedent, the Greek colonies alonge fringes of the Mediterranean were founded by men, sometimes explicitly exiled from their home polis. — Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 1 June 2011

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Greek pólis "citadel, city, community of citizens, city-state" — more at police entry 1

Noun combining form

borrowed from Greek, combining form of pólis "citadel, city, community of citizens, city-state" — more at police entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polis was in 1884

Rhymes for polis

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-polis
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Cite this Entry

“Polis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polis. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about polis

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