WordGarden.iourban
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈɜːbən/
US
- /ˈɜrbən/
Meanings
Adjective
relating to a city or densely built-up area
in media or marketing, associated with Black culture or Black audiences, especially in music and style; a contested, context-dependent use that can be a vague or euphemistic race-linked label
Beyond the definition
When we say something is "urban," we're usually talking about things connected to a city: the buildings, the streets, the people, and the way of life. Think of an "urban landscape" with tall buildings and busy roads, or "urban planning," which is about making cities work better. The word can also describe styles, problems, or experiences that are common in city life.
The word comes from the Latin urbs, meaning city. So when something is described this way, it usually brings to mind the feel and rhythm of life in a city, not just the place itself.
"Urban" is a flexible word with several related meanings, all tied to cities. At its most basic, it means relating to or characteristic of a city. You might hear about "urban sprawl," the spread of a city into nearby areas, or "urban decay," the decline of buildings and neighborhoods within a city.
But the word is not limited to physical places. It can also describe the style, culture, and daily experience linked with city life. For example, people may talk about urban design, urban neighborhoods, urban culture, or urban transport.
In some contexts, "urban" has also been used in a less precise way to suggest particular social groups, especially in discussions of music, fashion, or neighborhoods. That use can sound vague or carry stereotypes, so context matters.
The word's roots lie in the Latin urbs, meaning city, and it appears in many fields, including sociology, architecture, geography, and environmental studies, where people talk about how cities are built, how they grow, and how people live in them.
So whether you're describing a city skyline, a neighborhood, a planning issue, or a way of life, "urban" points to the world of the city and the many experiences that come with it.
Examples
- 1
Urban and rural
The hospital serves people from both urban and rural areas.
- 2
City life
After ten years of urban life, she was ready for somewhere quieter.
- 3
Housing costs
Many young families are leaving the city because urban housing has become too expensive.
- 4
City development
The mayor promised more trees, bike lanes, and safer streets as part of a new urban development plan.
- Phraseurban development
the building and improvement of parts of a city
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
City planning
He decided to study urban planning because he wanted to help design better public spaces.
- Domainurban planning
planning how a city grows and works
- 6
False rumor
That email warning about gangs marking car doors turned out to be an urban legend.
- Phraseurban legend
a story that many people repeat and believe, but that is usually not true
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- urbanadjective