VocabDictionary

megalopolis

/ˌmɛɡəˈlɒpəlɪs/advanced Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

A very large, heavily populated city or urban complex formed by the growth and eventual merging of several large towns and metropolitan areas.

Example Sentences:
  • The BosWash corridor is a massive megalopolis stretching from Boston to Washington, D.C.
  • Rapid urbanization has transformed the coastal region into a sprawling megalopolis.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “megalopolis”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the ancient Greek 'megalos' meaning 'great' or 'large' + 'polis' meaning 'city'. Originally used in ancient Greece to refer to a planned city in Arcadia intended to be the largest of the Greek cities, it was revived in the 20th century (popularized by geographer Jean Gottmann in 1961) to describe massive, heavily populated chains of metropolitan areas, such as the US Northeast Seaboard.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of 'MEGA' (huge) + 'METROPOLIS' (city) to remember an extraordinarily giant city network.

Frequently Asked Questions About “megalopolis

1. What is the meaning of “megalopolis” in English?

In English, megalopolis (noun) is defined as: “A very large, heavily populated city or urban complex formed by the growth and eventual merging of several large towns and metropolitan areas.”.

2. How do you use “megalopolis” in a sentence?

The BosWash corridor is a massive megalopolis stretching from Boston to Washington, D.C.

3. What are English synonyms of “megalopolis”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “megalopolis”?

Derived from the ancient Greek 'megalos' meaning 'great' or 'large' + 'polis' meaning 'city'. Originally used in ancient Greece to refer to a planned city in Arcadia intended to be the largest of the Greek cities, it was revived in the 20th century (popularized by geographer Jean Gottmann in 1961) to describe massive, heavily populated chains of metropolitan areas, such as the US Northeast Seaboard.