Definition:
A city-state is a small independent country that consists of a single city and its surrounding territory. This means that the city has its own government and makes its own rules, just like a country, even though it is very small.
In discussions about history or politics, you might encounter city-states in the context of ancient civilizations. For example: - "The city-states of ancient Greece often competed with each other for resources and power."
The term "city-state" is quite specific, but it can also refer to modern examples of small sovereign entities like: - Monaco - Vatican City
While there aren't direct synonyms for "city-state," you may encounter related terms such as: - Sovereign city - Independent city
There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "city-state." However, you might hear phrases like "run a city" when discussing governance, but this is not specific to city-states.
A city-state is a unique type of political entity that combines the characteristics of a city and a country. It is important in discussions about governance, history, and international relations.