city editor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Professional / Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “city editor” mean?
A newspaper editor responsible for local news coverage in a specific urban area.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A newspaper editor responsible for local news coverage in a specific urban area.
A senior editorial position overseeing metropolitan news, often managing reporters, assigning stories, and editing content focused on a particular city's affairs, politics, crime, and community events. In larger publications, may coordinate multiple local sections.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK historical/journalistic context, 'city editor' could refer to the financial/business editor (from 'the City' of London). In modern US usage, it exclusively means the editor of local/metropolitan news. The UK now more commonly uses 'local news editor' or 'metropolitan editor' for clarity.
Connotations
US: Neutral professional title. UK: Can be ambiguous between local news and financial news editor; context-dependent.
Frequency
More frequent in American English in contemporary usage. In British English, 'local editor' or 'regional editor' is often preferred.
Grammar
How to Use “city editor” in a Sentence
The city editor [verb: assigned/oversaw/edited] the story.[Publication]'s city editor [name] reported on...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “city editor” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The journalist was city-editing for a decade before promotion.
- She city-edits the metropolitan section.
American English
- He city-edited the local news desk for years.
- She is city-editing the weekend edition.
adverb
British English
- He worked city-editorially for the Times.
- The section runs city-editorially independent.
American English
- She manages the team city-editorially.
- The page was edited city-editorially.
adjective
British English
- The city-editor role requires local knowledge.
- A city-editor position opened at the Gazette.
American English
- She has a city-editor background in Chicago.
- The city-editor job involves late nights.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare except in media industry discussions about staffing.
Academic
Used in journalism studies, media history, or urban sociology examining news production.
Everyday
Uncommon; mainly encountered when reading about newspaper structures or media careers.
Technical
Specific journalistic term denoting a particular editorial role and chain of command.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “city editor”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “city editor”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “city editor”
- Using 'city editor' to mean any editor living in a city.
- Capitalising as a formal title when not preceding a name (e.g., 'the City Editor' vs 'the city editor').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A city editor is a mid-to-senior level editor responsible specifically for local/metropolitan news. The editor-in-chief is the top editor overseeing the entire publication.
Primarily newspapers with a significant focus on a specific urban area. Smaller papers might combine the role with others, and national papers may have one for their headquarters' city.
They are largely synonymous in modern American usage. 'Metro editor' is sometimes preferred for larger metropolitan areas or to avoid the historical British financial connotation.
Historically, in British journalism, 'City Editor' (often capitalized) referred to the financial/business editor, referencing London's financial district ('the City'). This usage is now less common and potentially confusing.
A newspaper editor responsible for local news coverage in a specific urban area.
City editor is usually professional / journalistic in register.
City editor: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪti ˈɛdɪtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪɾi ˈɛdɪɾɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “run a tight city desk”
- “have the city editor's ear”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CITY map on the wall of an EDITOR's office, with pins marking local stories.
Conceptual Metaphor
NEWSPAPER AS CITY: The city editor is the 'mayor' of the local news section.
Practice
Quiz
In which context might the term 'city editor' be ambiguous in British English?