What is a citizen?

A citizen is best defined as a native or naturalized member of a state or nation, which encapsulates the legal and social bond individuals hold with a specific country. This definition emphasizes the rights, responsibilities, and privileges that come with citizenship, such as the right to vote, work, and live within that country, as well as an allegiance to it. Citizens often have a defined status that is recognized by law, setting them apart from other forms of residence or membership in a country, such as that of visitors or temporary residents. Recognizing that citizenship typically involves a formal process of naturalization for those not born into it also helps clarify this definition.

The other options, while related to concepts of residency or membership in a community, do not capture the legal and inherent attributes that define a citizen. Being a member of the military (the first choice) does not necessarily confer citizenship by itself. The third choice’s definition of anyone residing in a country lacks the legal and formal ties that citizenship implies. Lastly, the notion presented in the fourth option is too broad; while anyone can come from any country, this does not equate to them being a citizen of that country. The distinction lies in the formal recognition and rights provided through citizenship.