French word

métropole

Pronunciation

IPA/metʁopɔl/

Meaning

  • feminine nounmajor city

Example

Il habite dans une métropole.

He lives in a major city.

Illustration for métropole (major city)

More examples

Dans la métropole, le rythme de vie est très rapide.

In the metropolis, the pace of life is very fast.

Core concept

A large urban system with a powerful central city and a connected surrounding area.

Common phrases

  • dans la métropole

    in the metropolis

  • le centre de la métropole

    the center of the metropolis

Similar words

ville: A city where people live, buildings cluster, and commercial activity takes place.
capitale: A city serving as a country's political and administrative center.
agglomération: An urban area comprising a central city and its surrounding built-up districts.

Definition in French

Grande ville ou aire urbaine étendue regroupant activités, services et infrastructures.

Word origin

French borrowed métropole from Latin metropolis, which came from Greek μητρόπολις and referred to a principal city in relation to dependent settlements.

Usage tips

  • Métropole does not necessarily mean the capital, since French uses it for any major urban area that organizes a wider region.

Other meanings

  • metropolitan areanoun
  • mainlandnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word