inner city

noun

: the usually older, poorer, and more densely populated central section of a city
inner-city adjective

Examples of inner city in a Sentence

The mayor is trying to attract new businesses to the inner city.
Recent Examples on the Web The lack of Black male teachers is a big missing piece to the puzzle of improving the inner city educational system. J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2024 Overjoyed to learn that people were not only interested, but excited, about the prospect that someone who himself had been involved in street life — fighting, drugs and crime — might be exactly the way to reach and turn around inner city youth who are traveling on the wrong path. J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for inner city 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inner city.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inner city was in 1958

Dictionary Entries Near inner city

Cite this Entry

“Inner city.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inner%20city. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

inner city

noun
: the usually older and more heavily populated central section of a city
inner-city adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on inner city

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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