megacity: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Formal; common in academic, geopolitical, environmental, and urban planning contexts.
Quick answer
What does “megacity” mean?
A very large city, typically one with a population of over ten million people.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very large city, typically one with a population of over ten million people.
A dominant urban centre of immense scale, characterized by complex infrastructure, significant economic influence, and often severe social and environmental challenges such as overcrowding, pollution, and inequality.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or definition differences. The concept is used identically.
Connotations
Slightly more frequent in British media/analysis focused on global development issues. In American discourse, it might more often be juxtaposed with domestic 'metro areas'.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in relevant contexts (academic, journalistic).
Grammar
How to Use “megacity” in a Sentence
[Megacity] + verb (faces, struggles with, experiences)the + [megacity] + of + [name] (the megacity of Tokyo)adjective + [megacity] (burgeoning megacity)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “megacity” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The megacity landscape is constantly evolving.
- They faced megacity-level traffic delays.
American English
- The megacity skyline was breathtaking.
- We studied megacity growth patterns.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to major markets and logistical hubs: 'Our strategy focuses on supply chains in key Asian megacities.'
Academic
Used in urban studies, geography, economics: 'The paper examines governance models in Latin American megacities.'
Everyday
Used to describe extremely large, often foreign cities: 'Moving from our town to a megacity like Shanghai was a culture shock.'
Technical
Used in demography, urban planning, environmental science with specific population thresholds: 'The model predicts three new megacities will form in Africa by 2040.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “megacity”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “megacity”
- Using 'megacity' for any large city (e.g., 'Manchester is a megacity').
- Misspelling as 'mega-city' (hyphenated form is less common in modern usage).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'metropolis' is a major city, often a capital or centre of activity, but not defined by a strict population limit. A 'megacity' specifically denotes an urban area with a population typically over 10 million, emphasizing immense scale.
Yes, though less common. It can be used attributively (e.g., 'megacity challenges', 'megacity growth'). The standard adjective is 'mega-urban' or phrases like 'of a megacity'.
It's a fictional, hyperbolic use. While it inspired the term, in real-world usage, 'megacity' refers to actual, very large urban agglomerations, not single municipal entities covering vast regions.
The number changes as cities grow. As of the mid-2020s, the UN recognizes over 30 megacities globally, with the majority located in Asia.
A very large city, typically one with a population of over ten million people.
Megacity is usually formal; common in academic, geopolitical, environmental, and urban planning contexts. in register.
Megacity: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛɡəsɪti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛɡəˌsɪdi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(no common idioms directly with 'megacity')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MEGA (meaning huge) + CITY. A 'megacity' is a city on a mega-scale.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN ORGANISM (a megacity breathes, has a metabolism, can be healthy/sick); A MACHINE (a complex system with interconnected parts).
Practice
Quiz
What is the generally accepted minimum population for a city to be classified as a megacity?