inner city


noun

an older part of a city, densely populated and usually deteriorating, inhabited mainly by poor, often minority, groups.
Compare central city.

Origin of inner city

First recorded in 1960–65

OTHER WORDS FROM inner city

in·ner-cit·y, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for inner city

British Dictionary definitions for inner city

inner city

noun

  1. the parts of a city in or near its centre, esp when they are associated with poverty, unemployment, substandard housing, etc
  2. (as modifier)inner-city schools

Cultural definitions for inner city

inner city

A general term for impoverished areas of large cities. The inner city is characterized by minimal educational opportunities, high unemployment and crime rates, broken families, and inadequate housing. (See ghettos.)