metropolis
UK: mɪˈtrɒpəlɪs | US: məˈtrɑːpəlɪs
n. a large, important city, often the capital or chief urban center of a country or region
n. (historical) the parent city or state of a colony in ancient Greece
The word metropolis originates from ancient Greek mētropolis (μητρόπολις), combining mētēr (mother) and polis (city). It originally described the "mother city" of a Greek colony, symbolizing its cultural and political influence. Over time, the term evolved to signify any major urban hub, retaining the idea of centrality and importance.
Tokyo is a bustling metropolis with a population of over 13 million.
Ancient Athens served as the metropolis for many Greek colonies.
New York City is often called the cultural metropolis of the United States.
The rapid growth of Lagos has transformed it into a sprawling metropolis.
In Roman times, Alexandria was a renowned metropolis of trade and learning.