metropolitan
/ˌmetrəˈpɒlɪtən/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌmetrəˈpɑːlɪtən/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌme-trə-ˈpä-lə-tən/ (ame, mw) · /ˌmet.rəˈpɒl.ɪ.tən/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌmet.rəˈpɑː.lə.tən/ (ame, ipa)
metropolitan — adjective
- metropolitanpositive
- more metropolitancomparative
- most metropolitansuperlative
1. Relating to a very large city or its surrounding region, especially a city that
Relating to a very large city or its surrounding region, especially a city that serves as a country's or region's main economic and cultural hub.
The population of the Tokyo metropolitan area continues to grow each year.
metropolitan area — a city and its surrounding suburbs
Jiwoo joined the metropolitan police department after finishing her training.
metropolitan police — the police force of a major city
Faisal prefers the quiet suburbs to the fast-paced metropolitan lifestyle.
The metropolitan transport authority announced new train routes across the region.
Large theater productions often open first in major metropolitan centers before touring.
- rural
relating to the countryside rather than cities
用法筆記
Frequently used attributively before a noun that names an institution or region (e.g., metropolitan area, metropolitan police). Not used in comparative or superlative forms.
常見錯誤
2. Used within Christianity for the principal diocese that governs a group of dioce
Used within Christianity for the principal diocese that governs a group of dioceses together forming an ecclesiastical province under an archbishop.
The metropolitan bishop of Canterbury has overseen the southern province for decades.
metropolitan bishop — a senior bishop who leads a church province
Élise wrote her dissertation on the role of metropolitan sees in medieval England.
metropolitan see — the principal diocese of a province
The council of bishops met at the metropolitan cathedral to elect a new leader.
In Orthodox Christianity, each metropolitan diocese retains its own local traditions.
- archiepiscopal
pertaining specifically to an archbishop, a closely related but narrower term
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively within Christian ecclesiastical contexts, especially Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Anglicanism. The noun equivalent refers to the office holder (see noun/1).
3. Relating to a colonising nation's home territory, as opposed to its overseas col
Relating to a colonising nation's home territory, as opposed to its overseas colonies or dependent territories.
Colonial governors reported directly to the metropolitan government in Paris.
metropolitan government — the home country's central administration
Trade policies in the 1800s were designed to benefit the metropolitan power, not the colonies.
metropolitan power — the ruling home country in a colonial relationship
Historians study how metropolitan laws shaped everyday life in faraway territories.
The port received cargo from overseas colonies before it was sent to metropolitan factories.
- colonial
relating to the colonies rather than the ruling country
用法筆記
Primarily found in historical and political-science writing about colonialism. The contrasting term is 'colonial' or 'overseas'.
metropolitan — noun
- metropolitansingular
- metropolitansplural
1. A high-ranking Christian priest who has authority over all the dioceses within a
A high-ranking Christian priest who has authority over all the dioceses within an ecclesiastical province.
The metropolitan of Kyiv addressed the gathering of Orthodox bishops from across the region.
metropolitan + of + [region] — title structure for this church office
Henrik met with the metropolitan to discuss the restoration of the old cathedral.
Folake's grandmother wept with joy when the metropolitan blessed her granddaughter during Sunday Mass.
The metropolitan appointed new priests to serve in parishes across the province.
- archbishop
the equivalent title in Western Christianity; more widely recognised
- primate
the senior bishop of a region, sometimes overlapping with metropolitan's role
用法筆記
In Eastern Orthodoxy this title sits between 'bishop' and 'patriarch'; in Roman Catholicism it is roughly equivalent to 'archbishop'. Always used with a determiner or title (the metropolitan, Metropolitan John).
2. Someone whose home is in a major city and who is accustomed to the fast pace and
Someone whose home is in a major city and who is accustomed to the fast pace and varied culture found there.
As a lifelong metropolitan, Aarav cannot imagine living anywhere without a subway system.
lifelong metropolitan — someone who has always lived in a big city
The new policy affects both suburban commuters and metropolitans who live close to their workplaces.
Many metropolitans in Jakarta spend over two hours travelling to work each day.
Isabela moved from a small farming town and quickly adapted to life as a metropolitan.
Metropolitans often develop a taste for late-night restaurants and twenty-four-hour convenience stores.
- city dweller
more common and neutral term; not restricted to very large cities
- urbanite
informal and slightly trendy; implies someone who enjoys city culture
- country dweller
someone who lives in a rural area
- suburbanite
someone who lives in the suburbs, not the city centre
用法筆記
Less common in everyday speech than 'city dweller' or 'urbanite'. More frequent in written or formal contexts where the contrast with 'suburban' or 'rural' is explicit.